Notes on the Debates of 9/21, Part 2

By Mike Lynch

(Full disclosure.  I am a registered Republican in Montezuma County.)

Continuing from Part 1, with other debate matchups …

Katie Stewart (D) vs. Clark Craig (R)

D59 

Both candidates have roots in southwest Colorado.  Clark named additional experience having lived in 4 states and 2 countries Before returning to southwest Colorado.

Katie’s predominant experience she pointed to as qualifications are her work as a Durango school board member and raising five children, the oldest of which is now serving in the military.  Clark mentioned his current position as mayor of Ignacio, owner of a large mobile home park, Regional Housing Alliance, La Plata County Economic Alliance, the Southwest Education Collaborative, and “various other boards”.

The four topics they were asked about were 1- top 3 issues of importance, 2- small business regulations, 3- affordable housing, and 4- Ag and food production.

During the cross exam time Katie wanted to focus on abortion and began by asking Clark if he would sign a “Personhood Bill” (life at conception).  She seemed to want to trap him into saying he would vote against women’s right to abortion.

Clark focused on what she thought her qualifications are for the job of HD-59 representative.

My impression: 

Clark Craig has current and previous experience in working with others to solve problems, some of which just happen to be top priority issues for this candidate race and also for rural Colorado.  Katie Stewart seems to have a good awareness of the problems but lacks any experience working to solve them.  She realizes this and mentioned several times she would collaborate with others, meet with the stakeholders, seek input from farmers and ranchers, etc.

Katie came across as somewhat confident but not eloquent as a speaker, nor very knowledgeable about current or recent rural attempts to solve the issues discussed during the debate.  Clark, on the other hand, appeared as a very confident, knowledgeable, experienced, well spoken, candidate and he spoke to their clear differences in his closing remarks.

I think Clark is the best candidate for the office, hands down.

SD 6

Vivian Smotherman (D) vs. Cleave Simpson (R)

Cleave started by telling the audience of his interest in the important topics of water, health care, education, agriculture, and economic development.  Vivian began with some people examples who are experiencing difficulties with the economy and access to health care.  Vivian claims we need a voice that is stronger, louder, more persuasive, and more responsive to the people of this district.

The four questions that were asked of these candidates dealt with the topics of 1- affordable health care access, 2- economic development, 3- rural high speed internet, and 4- water issues.

During the cross exam sessions we heard that Vivian is against the “ridiculous” TABOR.  Vivian thinks we should get rid of it as well as all the district taxes and mill levies and go to one centralized tax by the state.  We found out that Cleave has spent much time and effort on behavioral health issues and has even changed his vote on a bill after learning of an incident around Alamosa.

My impression:

Vivian entered the race and wants the job.  But Vivian is running against an incumbent who is no slouch.  Vivian is at a severe disadvantage.  Cleave has spent his time at work for the people of SD 6.  He has become very knowledgeable about Colorado water issues, especially those of the west slope, and even Vivian confessed that Cleave would be an expert that Vivian would call on for help with water issues.  He has at least a 4 year head start on Vivian and that’s too much of an advantage.  Cleave would be the clear choice in my mind.

CD 3, State Board of Education

Ellen Angeles (D) vs. Sherry Wright (R)

Sherry Wright was a school board member locally for the Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 school district.  She served as board President some of those years.  Being a school board member myself, also for MCSD RE-1, I was looking forward to hearing from Sherry about what her priorities were going to be if she were elected.  Sherry was unable to attend “due to personal items”.

Instead, Sherry was allowed to send a proxy in her place.  This is the first time I had ever seen or heard of a proxy stand in for a debate.  Sherry chose Lenetta Shull as her proxy.

From the opening remarks I learned that Ellen’s priorities will be defending public education and making sure children have the best education they can have.  From proxy Shull, who read from Sherry’s written remarks, I learned that Sherry believes in education, parental rights, and school choice.  She is also against CRT and indoctrination.

The four questions asked of each candidate were on the topics of 1- most pressing need as well as priorities and guiding principles, 2- 80% of population is on east slope and perception is that west slope needs are going unmet, 3- quality of education a concern affecting the skills gap as well as employers who choose not to stay nor to invest in rural communities, 4- SB24-188 regarding school finance.  I should point out that the candidates were not given the questions before coming on stage so proxy Shull had to do her best on her own to relay what candidate Wright might have said had she been there.

The cross exam portion included questions from candidate Wright dealing with school choice and parental rights.  Candidate Angeles asked about Wright’s first priority being no boys in girls sports, parental notification Vs parental involvement, DAC membership including only 4 parents, and support for American Birthright curriculum.  These were another set of questions that candidates were not given prior to being asked on the stage, so again, proxy Shull had to do her best to answer on Sherry’s behalf.

My impression:

I believe it is very difficult for a proxy person to fully represent their candidate when many of the questions are not known beforehand.  Candidate Angeles put in one or two digs against candidate Wright for not showing up at the debate.  Personally, I think I can discern where Mrs. Angeles stands on the debate topics.  Proxy Shull read comments from Mrs. Wright that were clear about a few topics but others I am still unsure about Sherry’s positions, beliefs, and lesser priorities.

If this debate was the only opportunity to discern between the candidates then I think the choice for most voters would not be clear.  I have a bias so I lean toward candidate Wright.  I just hope there will be more opportunities, before the election, for these two candidates to highlight their differences and explain in more detail their positions and priorities.

Watch the videos for these debates at https://m.youtube.com/@clubtwenty4410/videos.