Tag: Marilyn Musgrave

Home to the state's only agricultural university, Rocky Mountain National Park and many ranches, Larimer County has traditionally been a Republican stronghold in Colorado. But, as President George W. Bush's approval ratings play gutterball, the unpopular war in Iraq continues and the economy continues to rock and roll, Larimer County's electorate is starting to swing in a moderate direction with upticks in the number of Democrat and unaffiliated voters. That shift is being eyed by strategists and politicos carefully this year as the northern Colorado county could be one of a handful to play a pivotal role in the November election.

Tonight the candidates in the 4th CD are having their final debate at Windsor High School in Windsor, Colo. The Colorado Independent is LiveBlogging the debate:

Dear Marilyn Musgrave: I am not a liberal. I am also not a “Democratic consultant.” When your spokesman called me that, my wife and all my friends laughed so hard it sounded like they were howling. And you know what? Your resulting decision to not come on TV and be interviewed, as your opponent Betsy Markey agreed to do, did nothing more than strip you of the opportunity to get a half-hour of free air time. Sincerely, Eric Sondermann.

Democrat Betsy Markey is leading Rep. Marilyn Musgrave by six to eight points according to internal Democratic polling, but her lead could disappear if Markey is unable to keep advertising on television after next week.

When Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave was running a close reelection bid against Democrat Angie Paccione in 2006 all of the big guns from Washington, D.C. came to help her. President Bush made an October campaign appearance with Musgrave in Greeley and the National Republican Congressional Committee helped with television ads blasting Paccione.

Three prominent Northern Colorado Republicans threw their support behind Democrat Betsy Markey today, including former U.S. Rep. Jim Johnson, former state Rep. Bill Kaufman, and former Republican Party Committee member Betty Ehn. Markey is running against three-term incumbent Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave for the 4th Congressional District.

Continuing a trend that started earlier this summer, Republican incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave failed to outraise her Democratic challenger during the third quarter of this year, in the highly-watched race in the 4th Congressional District that has whipped up national interest from both parties.

As Colorado inches to Election Day, its status as a swing state has not dimmed — and Weld County, a traditionally conservative stronghold encompassing Greeley and much of the Eastern Plains, is being eyed by many as one of a handful of counties that could make or break the election for either party. Two years ago Gov. Bill Ritter stunned observers by winning Weld by a squeaker. This year, with a hotly contested congressional race and shifting party affiliations — fewer Republicans and more Democrats, percentage-wise — Weld is squarely in the spotlight.

For people who just can't get enough of negative politicking, the 4th Congressional District is the gift that just keeps giving this year.

The armada has arrived. After months of going it alone, the campaigns of Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave and Democratic challenger Betsy Markey are now getting help from their respective national parties — the latest signal of just how much interest this sizzling-hot race has generated in a traditionally GOP stronghold.