Spotlight on the CO 3rd Congressional District

Submitted by IP on Wed, 2010-04-21 07:55
Republican Winner, Scott Tipton
The 3rd Congressional District of Colorado is located in western and south central Colorado, encompassing most of the rural Western Slope, including the cities of Grand Junction and Durango as well as southern portions of Colorado's eastern plains, including the city of Pueblo. George W. Bush received 55% of the vote here in 2004, and John McCain won the district in 2008 50%-47% over Barack Obama. The CO 3rd is represented in the 111th Congress by Democrat John Salazar, brother of Ken Salazar, current Interior Secretary. Rep. Salazar first won the seat in 2004 in an open-seat race and even though the district is conservative leaning, he won re-election handily in 2006 and 2008. Republican Scott Tipton, spurred to enter the race by Salazar’s vote for the House health care reform bill, challenged Salazar after losing to him in 2006. This time he was successful, beating Salazar 50% to 46%.
Scott Tipton
  • Lifelong Coloradan, raised in Cortez
  • Ronald Reagan for President Campaign, 1976-84 and Convention delegate, 1976
  • Republican Chairman, 3rd Congressional District, 8 years
  • Elected representative for the 58th District in the CO House, 2008: served on House Agriculture Committee, Livestock Committee, Natural Resources Committee and Local Government Committee; worked to ensure quality water and air for the people of Colorado; sponsor of legislation relating to Jessica’s Law and Katie’s Law 
  • Business owner, Mesa Verde Indian Pottery, 30 years
  • Graduate, Political Science, Ft. Lewis College, Durango

Issues:

  • Cut spending;take government out of the private sector; reduce federal deficits; cut taxes; repeal Obamacare and replace it with reform that empowers the individual; oppose Cap and Trade; “all of the above” approach to energy development; defending and protecting our country against terrorism at home and abroad; traditional family values; oppose amnesty or any special benefits for illegal immigrants; secure our borders as a matter of national security; right to bear arms; tougher school graduation standards, strong school safety programs, and a robust charter school program;eliminate death tax; private property rights.
"Over the past year we have seen Washington work to pass a government-takeover of healthcare that would impose more than 2,000 pages of new taxes and fees on the individuals, families, and businesses across this country who are already struggling amidst the recession. I believe we need to bring true fiscal conservatism back to Colorado and back to Washington. In deciding to run for the 3rd Congressional seat of Colorado in 2010, I am vowing to take Colorado Common Sense back to Washington."
Scott Tipton - "Let's Fix America Now"
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.