Primary Creates GOP Rift in Colo.
A Colorado Republican retiring after 20 years in the House said Wednesday he would not endorse the GOP primary winner, accusing him of running a “sleazy” campaign.
Rep. Joel Hefley said he hoped his decision didn’t hurt other Republicans on the ticket in November, but he said he would not support the Republican nominee, Doug Lamborn.
“I made this clear at the start of this campaign that I would never again support a Republican who ran a sleazy campaign against another Republican, and that’s what Doug Lamborn did,” Hefley said in an interview with the Associated Press. “It’s not good when we have these angry, bitter campaigns [against Democrats]. It’s sure not good when we have them within the party.”
Lamborn campaign manager Jon Hotaling said the candidate ran a “clean, positive campaign.” He blamed the negative ads on outside groups.
Hefley backed his former aide, Jeff Crank, who came in a close second in the contentious six-way primary Aug. 8.
Groups campaigning in Lamborn’s behalf criticized Crank and others during the primary. One mailer from the Colorado Christian Coalition accused Crank of “public support for members and efforts of the homosexual agenda.”
Crank’s supporters were so upset at Lamborn’s win, they tried to recruit Hefley to run as a write-in for his old seat. Hefley turned them down.
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