Polis campaign questions Fitz-Gerald

A story reported by Colorado Independent Wednesday detailing contributions to Democratic congressional candidate Jared Polis from the conservative Hasan family of Beaver Creek, in which Polis primary opponent Joan Fitz-Gerald called it a case of “strange bedfellows,” prompted a strong response from the Polis camp.

Polis campaign manager Robert Becker sent a flyer detailing contributions to Fitz-Gerald from several mining companies with questionable environmental and human rights records in both the United States and abroad. The flyer is entitled “Senator Joan Fitz-Gerald: The sweetheart of the oil, gas & mining industry is trying to green-wash her record!” It was paid for by the Friends of Jared Polis.

Becker said of the contributions to the former state Senate president by Newport Mining, Freeport McMoran and Anglogold Ashanti, “We find these donors to be disturbingly strange bedfellows.” The donations totaled $6,400.

Meanwhile, Ali Hasan, a Republican candidate for the state House 56 who did not contribute directly to Polis, clarified that his father Malik, who contributed $4,600 to Polis, Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer and presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain, is actually a “diehard Democrat.”

“My mother [Seeme, who also maxed out to Polis] is a diehard Republican,” Hasan said. “ And both taught me, from a young age, to find unity between parties, not differences. I’m a very proud Republican, and my goal is to make my party more inclusive to all.”

is an award-winning reporter who has covered energy, environmental and political issues for years. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Denver Post. He's founder of Real Vail and Real Aspen.

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