UPDATE: Dem leaders endorse candidate who didn

Shazam! There was barely a flash between Colorado House candidate Vince Chowdhury’s guilty plea today and his primary opponent Camille Ryckman raking in endorsements from 18 sitting lawmakers, including Speaker Andrew Romanoff. The message seems clear: No domestic abusers need apply.

 

Chowdhury, who is currently on the Jefferson County School Board, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to third-degree misdemeanor harassment involving a June 17 incident in which he choked and slapped his 16-year-old daughter after she and his wife did not open the garage door fast enough for him upon his arrival to their Golden home.

 

He received a one-year deferred sentence and must attend an anger management class.

 

Chowdhury is challenging Ryckman for the Democratic nomination for House District 22, a heavily Republican district in Jefferson County that is currently held by Rep. Ken Summers (R-Lakewood).

 

After today’s guilty plea, Ryckman issued a press release announcing the “enthusiastic” support of Romanoff and 17 other Democratic members of the Colorado legislature, including:

Majority Leader Alice Madden

Assistant Majority Leader Terrance Carroll

Majority Whip Andy Kerr

Rep. Bernie Buescher, Chair of the Joint Budget Committee

Rep. Anne McGihon, Chair, House Health and Human Services

Speaker Pro Tem Cheri Jahn

Assistant Majority Whip Rep. Ed Casso

State Rep. Joel Judd, Chair, House Finance Committee

State Rep. Gwyn Green

State Rep. Debbie Benefield

State Rep. Paul Weissmann, Chair, House State Affairs and Veteran Committee

State Rep. Mark Ferrandino

State Rep. Nancy Todd

State Rep. Sara Gagliardi

State Sen. Betty Boyd

State Sen.Dan Gibbs

State Sen. Sue Windels 

Said Kerr, in the release: "Camille, as a practical community leader and lifelong educator, knows what it takes to get things done. It would be an honor to serve with her at the State Capitol and we’re excited to support her candidacy."


Ryckman’s press release made no mention of Chowdhury.

UPDATE: Late Tuesday, the Jefferson County School Board met in special session and, with the exception of board member Dave Thomas, asked Chowdhury to resign. (Thomas, a former district attorney, represented Chowdhury in the case involving his daughter and wife).  

And on Wednesday, the watchdog group Colorado Ethics Watch also called for Chowdhury’s resignation from the school board. Chantell Tayler, director of CEW, termed Chowdhury’s actions "reprehensible."

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