SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Statesman "Deputy DA forces surprise primary in 18th Judicial District"

Another Colorado district attorney race heats up, this time from the 18th Judicial District.

At issue is still yet more controversy sparked from the policies of outgoing District Attorney Carol Chambers and interestingly enough, another technical issue on validity of candidates.

Ben Conarck:
"It looks like there will be a Republican primary in the 18th Judicial District’s district attorney race after all.
Deputy District Attorney Leslie Hansen successfully petitioned onto the ballot for the 18th JD’s district attorney race after she failed to receive enough delegates at the district’s nominating assembly last month.

The secretary of state’s office certified 1,487 of the submitted signatures, well exceeding the requirement of 1,000 signatures.

At the 18th JD nominating assembly on March 26, Hansen received 27 percent of the vote in the four-way contest, just shy of the 30 percent threshold needed to secure a place on the ballot.

Denver attorney and JAG officer George Brauchler earned 47 percent of the vote at the assembly, in what some called an upset victory.

Hansen said she was “very pleased” to make the ballot, and that she was encouraged to petition ahead by delegates at the assembly, as well as the two other candidates who failed to meet the 30 percent delegate threshold.

Brauchler said that he had hoped he would be able to focus his efforts and resources on the general election given his “overwhelming victory,” and that he could not think of any other time when a candidate for district attorney has petitioned onto the ballot despite losing at the nominating assembly.

In response, Hansen said she didn’t think it was rare for someone to go through the nominating assembly and still petition on to the ballot...."  (Read more? Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Statesman "Candidates for DA plead their cases"

There are a number of hot races for district attorney in the 2012 election cycle.  Whether contested races or not, it has been quite awhile since there has been this much controversy in Colorado's judicial system.

From Sheriff races at mid-term (statewide), to prison closures and now the politics of prosecutors; the folks are far from happy if the pulse and tone of commentary is any barometer.

The 10th Judicial District is so far the nastiest and most sordid of DA races this time around.  Coming up right behind the 10th is the 18th Judicial District. 

From the sound of things, more of relief than anything else as the highly controversial Carol Chambers is out due to term limits.  Chambers is the DA that made national news recognition by paying her deputy DA's bonuses for convictions.  Rather fitting now that the contenders for the 18th plead their cases to the Statesman at the Arapahoe GOP Men's Club...

Ben Conarck:
"What best qualifies a candidate to run for district attorney in the 18th Judicial District?

At a breakfast debate held at the Arapahoe County Republican Men’s Club in Greenwood Village early Wednesday morning, the four GOP candidates pled their cases.

Matt Arnold, a judicial accountability activist and candidate in the CU Regent At-Large race, moderated the debate. He will not be endorsing a candidate in the primary.

All four Republican candidates plan to go through the assembly to earn the party’s nomination, but both Brauchler and Wareham have begun petitioning as a backstop measure in case they fail to receive the 30 percent threshold for delegates.

The district attorney for the 18th Judicial District oversees Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties.

The seat has been held since 2005 by term-limited Republican incumbent Carol Chambers.

The race has attracted well-qualified candidates on both sides of the aisle. Ethan Feldman, who served as a judge in Arapahoe County for over 20 years, is the only Democrat currently in the race....."
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Judge dismisses medical marijuana case against Aurora doctor"

"The Arapahoe County district attorney’s office declined to comment on the most recent dismissal, saying it has not yet decided whether to appeal.

Attorney Lauren Davis, who represented Aquino-Villaman, said both cases show a hostility toward medical marijuana by prosecutors in the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe County.

To read the full story, click here."

(via Steamboat Today)