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| 3/25/2010 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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Journal/Steve Grazier
REPUBLICAN Walker Stapleton discusses his candidacy for Colorado treasurer Wednesday during a meeting at Shiloh Steakhouse in Cortez. Stapleton is one of three Republicans running in the Aug. 10 state primary. |
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Stapleton stumps for treasurer
Steve Grazier
Journal Staff Writer
Walker Stapleton offered his two cents on why Montezuma County voters should elect him to lead the state treasurer's office.
Stapleton, of Greenwood Village, met with about two dozen local Republicans Wednesday morning for coffee at Shiloh Steak House in Cortez. He pledged to fix the Public Employees Retirement Association and fight "back door" tax increases, such as the car tax and hospital-bed fee, if elected Colorado treasurer.
"I will use the office as a bully pulpit and raise hell when there's taxing and spending legislation (approved by state legislators) that people don't get to vote on," Stapleton said. "I want to increase accountability and accessibility in our state government."
In addition, Stapleton noted that he believes in the private sector's ability to create jobs and economic growth. He would take a fiscally conservative approach by working to eliminate wasteful government spending.
"I want the burden of proof on why government needs more money than it can spend," said Stapleton, a strong supporter of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. "People realize all this hope and change needs to be paid for."
Stapleton, 37, is vying to replace incumbent Colorado Treasurer Cary Kennedy, a Democrat from Denver, in the Nov. 2 general election.
If he is to face Kennedy in November, Stapleton must first knock off fellow Republicans J.J. Ament, of Logan County, and Ali Hasan, of Avon, in the Aug. 10 state primary for the GOP nomination.
Stapleton is the chief executive officer of the Denver office of SonomaWest Holdings, a California based real estate company. He has a bachelor's degree from Williams College and earned a graduate degree in business economics from the London School of Economics. He also holds a master of business administration degree from Harvard University.
Stapleton, a Republican, has strong political family ties. He is the second cousin of former U.S. President George W. Bush. His mother is a cousin of former President George H.W. Bush.
On the Net: Walker Stapleton campaign for Colorado treasurer, www.stapletonforcolorado.com.
Reach Steve Grazier at steveg@cortezjournal.com.
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