In addition to the aforementioned races, there are a handful of other local and state races worth mentioning. To bring out readers up to speed, the Telegraph will outline the major players in these races as well as the issues surrounding the races. Read on:

La Plata County Clerk

*Linda Daley (R): Daley grew up in La Plata County, where she has worked on and off for the Office of the County Clerk and Recorder since 1975. A mother of three, she was elected to her current post in 1990, and has held it ever since. During her tenure, Daley’s office has seen its share of changes, including more stringent federal regulations in the wake of the 2000 presidential hanging chad fiasco as well as a threefold increase in revenue (now topping $12 million). In 2005, her office also completed a project to digitize voter rolls. Her office came under fire last winter when county commissioner hopeful Democrat Peter Tregillus was given wrong information pertaining to his election bid and forced to withdraw. Daley responded by firing her election administrator.

Jean Walter (D): A La Plata County native, Walter has spent 27 years in local government and 25 years with the local chapter of the League of Woman voters. Currently assistant to the dean of the Business School at Fort Lewis College, Walter also has served is several civic capacities, including board member of United Way of Southwest Colorado; board member of American Red Cross of Southwest Colorado; Leadership La Plata graduate; and Bighorn Center for Public

Policy development fellow. If elected, Walter vows to bring accountability and accuracy to the office. She proposes to streamline operations; provide greater access to polling places; expand early and absentee voting; and increase voter outreach and education.

Our two cents: While Jean Walter is a worthy candidate, we feel experience is key to this position, given plans to switch the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Clerk’s Office over to new software. Despite the egregious error last winter, Daley’s familiarity with operations is a plus.

State Senate District 6

*Sen. Jim Isgar (D): This lifelong rancher from Hesperus was elected to the State Senate in 2000, during which time he has served as chair of the Agriculture Committee and on the Transportation Committee and Legislative Council. Considered the Senate’s reigning expert on water rights, he also has made inroads in the fight for surface-owner rights and has worked well with his Republican cohort across the aisle, Rep. Mark Larson.

Ron Tate (R): This third-generation Southwest Coloradan lives in Bayfield with his wife and seven children. A graduate of Fort Lewis College, he has a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular engineering from Oklahoma State University and owns Water Solutions, a water quality consulting business. If elected, Tate pledges to defend: property and water rights; the right to bear arms; public lands and wildlife; the sanctity of life; the sanctity of marriage; and the ranching and farming heritage.

Our two cents: Although not always in agreement with his voting record, we do believe Isgar has the best interests of his constituents at heart. In addition to always being readily accessible, whether in Denver or at the Hesperus homestead, Isgar always returns our phone calls – on time. He’s a down-to-earth politician who deserves another term to finish the work he has started and continue building bi-partisan consensus.

U.S. House District 3

*John Salazar (D): This San Luis farmer served a term in the State House (2002-04) before being elected to his current post in 2004. In that time, this father of three has helped to secure more than $50 million for rural roads; worked to deliver health care to veterans; and promoted the development of renewable fuel sources. Although a supporter of parental notification laws, he does not have any future plans of overturning Roe v. Wade.

Scott Tipton (R): This race marks the first bid for office for this Cortez businessman and Fort Lewis College graduate. A father of two, his campaign promises include leaving “a better world for our children than our parents left us” and bucking the current political status quo. Aside from that, Tipton, who was active in Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign, tows the party line of lower taxes; secure borders and private property rights.

Our two cents: We respect Salazar as a man of principle, who sticks to his guns. Renewable energy is a topic whose time is long overdue and we need his continued advocacy at the national level.

Colorado Governor

Bill Ritter (D): No stranger to public office, Ritter served as Denver district attorney for 12 years. He also has served on various civic boards, including Mile High United Way, the Denver Foundation’s Human Services Committee and Denver Public Schools Commission on Secondary School Reform. A father of four, he pledges the “Colorado Promise:” to hand over a state to our kids that is better than we found it and to promote a state that is a national leader in education, health care and transportation.

Bob Beauprez (R): After four years serving as U.S. rep for Colorado House District 7, this father of four is pledging to be a straight-shooter who works to restore faith in government; puts partisan politics aside and embraces accountability. He is a strong fiscal conservative who campaigned against last year’s Referendum C, a de-Brucing measure that was supported by almost everyone, including Gov. Bill Owens. He also is a big advocate for a national sales tax.

Our two cents: Beauprez’ ideas seem a little narrow for that of an office as expansive as governor. On the other hand, Ritter seems adept at talking the talk, now we’d like to see if he can walk the walk. (A side note: both candidates are anti-choice, although Beauprez a little more so. If this issue is important to you, we suggest looking at alternative candidates, particularly Libertarian candidate, Dawn Winkler, whose ideals we also strongly agree with.)

*Denotes incumbent