When It Comes To Bruce, GOP Leaders Grin And Bear It

In case you were wondering what Republican leaders in Colorado’s Senate and House of Representatives are thinking about the probability of TABOR author, head-thumper and all-around name-caller Douglas Bruce representing their cause come January …Things are moving like a Swiss watch in El Paso County, where, as expected, a vacancy committee has elevated Rep. Bill Cadman to replace state Sen. Ron May, who retired a year early.

That leaves Cadman’s seat open, and Bruce, currently a county commissioner, has vowed that he has the support of a majority of Republicans in another vacancy committee to appoint him to fill Cadman’s seat. The committee still must meet, but it’s all that more likely that come January Bruce – a man of highly inflammatory oratory skills – will likely become a bona fide state representative, representing Colorado Springs and the GOP.

Colorado Confidential recently asked Republican House Leader Mike May (no relation to Ron May) what he thought about the prospect of Bruce under the Golden Dome. May didn’t miss a beat. If House Majority Leader Alice Madden and other Democratic leaders can gather former Republican Rep. Debbie Stafford to their bosom, May indicated with a grin, surely Republicans can find a place for Bruce under the big GOP tent. (Last month Stafford switched parties, claiming she was the victim of harassment by the GOP, among other issues.)

This week Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, a Colorado Springs Republican, also cheerfully weighed in on the prospect of state Rep. Douglas Bruce.

“I’m glad (Bruce) wants to start in the House (of Representatives),” McElhany said, “so he can learn the ropes.”

Cara DeGette is a senior fellow at Colorado Confidential and a columnist and contributing editor at the Colorado Springs Independent. E-mail her at cdegette@coloradoconfidential.com

 

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