Dan Maes's Running Mate, Tambor Williams, Used To Be A Democrat, Member Of Trial Lawyers Association

Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Maes has picked a former Democrat and member of the Trial Lawyers Association as his running mate.

According to the Colorado Statesman, Tambor Williams, who served in the Colorado legislature as a Republican, briefly registered as a Democrat in order to help her partner, who was running for sheriff as a Democrat.

She has, by all accounts, been a registered Republican ever since.

In a survey for the Statesman in 1997, Williams also listed the generally left-leaning Trial Lawyers Association as one of the organizations she belonged to.

Maes's selection of Williams, who served in the administration of Republican Governor Bill Owens, angered some conservatives who see her as too moderate.

Earlier this month Maes, who was considered a longshot to win the Republican Gubernatorial nomination as recently as June, defeated former congressman Scott McInnis after a primary in which both candidates were marred by ethical questions.

Much of Maes's support came from the party's right wing in the form of Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations.

He now faces a three way general election against Democrat John Hickenlooper and third-party candidate Tom Tancredo, who figures to siphon off much of Maes's conservative support.