SD 5 Seat Slipping Away From Republicans

Republican incumbent Lew Entz’s campaign for the Senate District 5th may not only be in trouble, it may be on life-support. He has been out-raised and out-flanked by one of the most tenacious and driven Democratic campaigners on the Western Slope, CU Regent Gail Schwartz of Aspen.There’s also an “ace” up Schwartz’s sleeve: former Governor Roy Romer is her campaign chairman. The Aspen Times cited Romer’s comment about Schwartz, who served under Romer on the Colorado Commission for Higher Education:

“I’ve known Gail for years, and I have absolute confidence in her to do what’s right,” Romer said in a prepared statement. “That’s why I am chairing her campaign. She’s great on education, water and Western Slope values. She will be a real champion for the people of rural Colorado. Gail Schwartz is a serious person ready to tackle the serious issues facing our state. You can depend on her.”

Romer has already made appearances around some the huge district which covers Pitkin, Chaffee, Gunnison, Delta, Hinsdale, Rio Grande, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Saquache, Alamosa Counties.

Entz, a 74-year old potato farmer from Hooper, has been in public service for more than three decades, and has represented Senate District 5 since 2001 when he was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Gigi Dennis.