In a bold cross-party strategy, a Democrat-backed super PAC is stirring controversy by actively engaging in a Republican primary in Colorado.
According to Fox News, this maneuver aims to elevate a candidate deemed less competitive in the general elections.
The Rocky Mountain Values PAC, underwritten by the Sixteen Thirty Fund, has injected over $300,000 into campaigning for former state Rep. Ron Hanks in Colorado's GOP primary. This overt involvement has spotlighted Hanks, associating him heavily with former President Donald Trump and positioning him as an exceedingly conservative choice.
Funding details show the Sixteen Thirty Fund's considerable influence, contributing $500,000 in April 2024 and an additional $4,500 to the Rocky Mountain Values PAC. Their financial backing underscores a strategic push to shape the political landscape in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District.
This district, recently represented by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, is witnessing a fierce contest where Democrat Adam Frisch, who nearly triumphed in 2022, could benefit should Hanks be selected as the nominee. Republican Jeff Hurd, however, is pegged as a stronger contender against Frisch, according to polling data.
The campaign dynamics are intense, with the GOP-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund spending roughly $400,000 to counter Hanks, criticizing his stance on issues pivotal to the district's electorate. Simultaneously, Adam Frisch has targeted Hurd to weaken his primary position.
The strategic calculus by Democrats to back extreme or polarizing candidates in Republican primaries isn't novel. In 2022, Democrats spent around $40 million on similar campaigns, supporting pro-Trump candidates who lost in general elections.
Courtney Parella, Communications Director at the Congressional Leadership Fund, queried, "Why are Democrat mega-donors spending so much to prop up Ron Hanks' campaign?" This sentiment raises questions about the underlying motivations and potential repercussions of the Democrats' strategy.
Both political parties have met this controversial tactic with resistance and alarm. In January 2024, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene expressed her dissent, highlighting the ethical and strategic dilemmas such interventions pose in swing districts.
Reactions have been sharply divided. The Hurd campaign released a statement criticizing the Democratic maneuvers. "A shock to no one, Adam and the Democrats are attacking Jeff because they know he is the only Republican who can beat Frisch and keep the seat red," they stated.
Delanie Bomar, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, also chided the tactics employed by Frisch. "Adam Frisch's gutter politics play reveals one thing: he can't win unless he plays dirty," she commented.
Amber Miller, spokesperson for the Rocky Mountain Values PAC, highlighted their strategic focus. She stated, "RMV PAC is committed to defeating extreme Colorado Republicans." This statement encapsulates the PAC's justification for their involvement in the primary to target specifically extreme or divisive candidates.
Colorado's GOP primary events depict a broader chess game affecting national politics. Each move, funded and strategized across party lines, reflects the high stakes and calculated risks that characterize modern electoral strategies. The upcoming general elections will soon measure the impact of such tactics, testing the efficacy and consequences of meddling in opposition primaries.
