The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Pistols at 20 paces for dueling office colleagues in November?
In the hottest local contest of the primaries, William Spicer defeated Kent Fulton to earn the Democratic nomination for Gunnison County treasurer. He’ll face Republican Debbie Dunbar in the November general election. Spicer is senior assessment analyst in the treasurer’s office, while Dunbar is the assistant treasurer. “It’s going to be an interesting contest,” said Spicer, who received 545 votes to Fulton’s 204. That was 73 percent for Spicer and 27 percent for Fulton.
“This was a huge team effort,” Spicer said, grateful for support from friends and fans throughout the county. “I’m excited to move to the next phase of the campaign, which starts tomorrow and am looking forward to getting out and talking to people.” Spicer said the crux of his campaign is what he sees as a need for “moving ahead” in the treasurer’s office, with a primary focus on customer service.
Bob Beauprez rose to the top of the pack of four fellow Republicans vying for the chance to run against Governor John Hickenlooper in November. Beauprez won statewide but came in third among Gunnison voters, with just 24.33 percent of the vote. Mike Kopp was the favorite locally, with 33.28 percent.
Scott Tipton won the 3rd Congressional District primary, beating tea party rival David Cox. He’ll face Democrat Abel Tapia in November.
Local contests to watch in the coming campaign season include Spicer vs. Dunbar for treasurer, Scott Jackson (D) vs. Rick Besecker (R) for Gunnison County sheriff, incumbent Millie Hamner (D) vs. Debra Levine (R) for District 61 state representative, Mike McLachlan (D) vs. J. Paul Brown (R) for District 59 state representative, Mark Udall (D) vs. Cory Gardner (R) for U.S. Senate and Beauprez (R) vs Hickenlooper (D) for governor.
