Lawsuit Seeks To Remove Tom Tancredo From Ballot In Colorado

A lawsuit filed this week by two Colorado Republican voters seeks to keep third-party gubernatorial candidate--and former Republican--Tom Tancredo off the ballot.

The lawsuit claims that Tancredo changed his party affiliation from Republican to American Constitution Party too late to be eligible for the state ballot:

The Denver Post Reports:

Plaintiffs Marian Olson of Golden and Joseph Harrington of Highlands Ranch, both registered Republicans, now allege that Tancredo's switch from Republican to American Constitution Party occurred too late for him to be eligible as the ACP's nominee. Tancredo, they contend, was nominated by the party vacancy committee "in direct contravention of applicable state law and the American Constitution Party's" rules.

"Tancredo's eleventh-hour candidacy for Governor was initiated for the express purpose of disrupting the process of selecting the Republican nominee for Governor by primary election," the plaintiffs contend.

If Tancredo and his running mate, Patricia Miller, are included on the ballot, the plaintiffs allege, it "will undermine the integrity" of the ballot system and "result in a general election marred by chaos and turmoil."

Before the August 10 Colorado primaries, Tancredo (a former Republican congressman) threatened to launch a third-party bid for governor unless the two scandal-plagued GOP candidates agreed to drop their campaigns and allow the party to choose a more viable nominee.

Neither agreed to exit the race, and Tancredo switched his party affiliation to run as a member of the right-wing American Constitution Party.

Little-known businessman Dan Maes ended up capturing the nomination, and has subsequently become embroiled in several embarrassing distractions. Most polls have shown Tancredo and Maes splitting the conservative vote, effectively handing the election to Democrat John Hickenlooper.

Last week Maes defied many senior Colorado Republicans and decided to stay on the ballot despite pressure to drop out. On Wednesday 20 state Republican leaders threw their support behind Tancredo.

Tancredo has publicly stated that he is not concerned about the lawsuit, which is not in any way associated with the Colorado Republican Party.

A hearing has been scheduled for Monday.

Comments

[diogeneslives]

11:07 PM on 09/10/2010

Everyday it seems there are several examples of the conservative right eating its young (teagabbers) or visa versa or some embarrassing loon speak. And this is the party that is supposed to win big in November? How is this again? As a party the only thing they display is how oufit for office thay are.

[jobrien1950]

11:05 PM on 09/10/2010

Tancredo needs a new toupee. It is hard to take a guy with gray hair and a brown toupee seriously.

[henrypapillon]

11:00 PM on 09/10/2010

Where has all the love gone in the Republican Party? Oh, that's right ---third stall in the men's room.

[roger37]

10:47 PM on 09/10/2010

What the Republicans are really afraid of is Tancredo's Nasty Short Person Caucus.

[backinstolaf]

09:48 PM on 09/10/2010

I think this Oprah Clip equates to those trying to get Tancredo out of the election, listen at about So good luck with that......but what I'm gonna get you is a ladies cashmere scarf from BURBERRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY. BTW, Tom Tancredo is "Guest". Listen from 3:30-4:00 of the clip......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZwSTadVGqE

Listen about

[guardduckrules]

08:46 PM on 09/10/2010

The more I see the fracture on the Right, the more hope I have the Ds may come out a little bloodied but still hold a firm majority or take over some state houses.

[ZenSufi]

07:44 PM on 09/10/2010

Kick'em to the curb.

[prodemlib]

06:49 PM on 09/10/2010

if you listen really hard, you can hear the GOP fracturing.

[freddychef]

08:48 PM on 09/10/2010

funny, I hear it comming through Loud & Clear!!

11 Alpha, out.

[prodemlib]

10:48 PM on 09/10/2010

hee hee! All those concerts I went to when I was younger must have damaged my hearing.....But it is nice hearing that cracking noise.

[aquarius64]

06:16 PM on 09/10/2010

These individuals are afraid Tancredo will split the Republican vote and send a Dem to the governor's mansion.

[amaboss52]

06:55 PM on 09/10/2010

Tancredo or no, we're sending a Dem to the governors mansion anyway.

[drebleloaw]

07:24 PM on 09/10/2010

Fanned
Carry on.......

[Soulsurfer]

05:54 PM on 09/10/2010

It's not because he's a whacko and a bad candidate, it's because he'll just whacko votes from the repubs. They need whackos to win.

[lea171]

05:18 PM on 09/10/2010

I can't stand Tancredo, and I am a Northern Colorado Tea Party and Republican. I'll hand it over to Hickenlooper. I have real problems with Dan Maes which is why people are switching over.

[markscoular]

05:50 PM on 09/10/2010

Really???? I thought Tancredo represented TeaParty values. He is much further right than Rubio in Florida

[Gray Mouser]

07:36 PM on 09/10/2010

We welcome your sanity. Neither Maes or Tancredo are good for Colorado. Neither will be able to lead either.

[goodmarina]

05:06 PM on 09/10/2010

Lord no ... keep Tancredo.

He adds humor and helps the Democrats.  

Stay Tancredo, stay ... you and your immigrant hating self remaining in the race is exactly what Colorado needs.  pretty pleeeeezzz!!!

[TexasDem0]

05:00 PM on 09/10/2010

The GOP puts the best and the brightest of the party on the ticket.
May the candidate with the fewest convictions (in both contexts) win.

[Telemachus]

05:00 PM on 09/10/2010

"If Tancredo and his running mate ... are included on the ballot, the plaintiffs allege, it 'will ... result in a general election marred by chaos and turmoil.' "

Too late!

[amaboss52]

06:56 PM on 09/10/2010

Exactly! its already a three ringed circus here. Its fun to watch the repubes climbing all over each other, seeing who can be crazier.

[nini516]

04:45 PM on 09/10/2010

This man no longer belongs in politics. Tom can you say "KARMA"?

[amaboss52]

06:57 PM on 09/10/2010

He no longer merits staying on this planet.