| 8/29/2006 8:57:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Ritter gains in election polls
by Jason Starr
Mail Staff Writer
The race for Colorado governor is reaching a post-primary crescendo with policy statements, personal appearances and opponent accusations emanating from both campaigns.
Republican Bob Beauprez and Democrat Bill Ritter are vying to replace Republican Bill Owens and become the state's 41st governor. Beauprez survived a primary battle with Marc Holtzman, and Ritter won the Democratic nomination unopposed.
With voting set to begin in early October with mailing of absentee ballots, both campaigns realize the urgency of the coming weeks.
Candidates spent time together Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Thursday, they faced in a question-and-answer period at the Children's Hospital health care forum in Denver.
Friday, they each spoke at the Colorado Water Congress in Breckenridge and during the weekend, they attended the state fair in Pueblo.
A 9News poll released Aug. 16 asking a sample of voters who they would vote for reported a 10-percentage point advantage for Ritter (50 percent to 40 percent). A similar poll by Rasmussen Reports concluded a 48-39 percent lead for Ritter.
"It's encouraging, but it's only August," Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said. "We know this will be a close race and Bill is working hard every day and every night, traveling and talking to voters.
"These polls reinforce the feeling of momentum and optimism we have, but there's no letting up."
Amber O'Connor who chairs the Chaffee County Beauprez campaign said the polls reflect his recovery from the primary campaign, where he battled Holtzman while Ritter was unchallenged.
"Primaries are tough," O'Connor said. "You get some shots taken at you. I don't think it's anything Bob can't overcome."
Beauprez recently announced Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland as his running mate. Rowland is a human services professional who has worked with abused children and co-chairs the Mesa County Methamphetamine Task Force.
Ritter named Barbara O'Brien as his running mate last spring. She was president of the Colorado Children's Campaign which works to better health care, education and safety of children.
Last week, Beauprez toured southern and western Colorado on a "water policy" tour. He stopped in Caņon City, Alamosa, Durango, Cortez and Grand Junction.
Earlier this year he was in Poncha Spring discussing similar issues with local water managers.
"He's done a number of these tours and you'll see more coming out of his campaign," O'Connor said. "Bob's campaign is about talking directly with his constituents."
Beauprez promoted conservation and re-use of water and expanding or adding storage vessels as a way to handle Colorado water needs.
Ritter, meanwhile, released his health care strategy for Colorado to coincide with discussions Thursday at Children's Hospital. He recently released an economic development plan.
Neither candidate has immediate plans to visit Chaffee County. Election Day is Nov. 7.
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