Democratic voters across Montezuma County came out in strong support for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Tuesday night.
In a preference poll, 412 voters or 66.7 percent of those who attended the caucuses supported Sanders. His competitor Hillary Clinton attracted 198 votes or 32.1 percent.
Now a majority of the delegates selected at the 11 precincts across the county are expected to attend the closed county assembly on March 19 to support Sanders, said Tamara Hamilton, secretary for the Montezuma County Democrats. Although the delegates are not bound by the vote.
Passionate supporters of both Clinton and Sanders came out to the Montezuma County Annex Building to sway their fellow democrats.
The building was crowded with seven different precincts all holding separate meetings.
Kyle Bocinsky was one of those who changed his mind, starting as a Clinton supporter but casting his vote for Sanders.
“My mind is with Hillary, but my heart is with Bernie,” he said. “How often do you get to vote for someone who is really for the good of the people?”
Nancy Lee, in Precinct 4, came to hear what everyone had to say because she likes both candidates. But she was persuaded to join the Clinton camp.
“In the long run, she may do better against the Republicans,” she said.
Precincts in Mancos and Dolores also drew a large crowd.
About 160 Montezuma County Democrats turned out at the Dolores Community Center on Tuesday night, many of them showing support for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
The Dolores Community Center hosted Precincts 2 and 3 in the Montezuma County caucuses.
In Precinct 2, 79 voted for Sanders and 28 for Clinton. They will send seven Sanders delegates and three Clinton delegates to the Montezuma County assembly on March 19.
In Precinct 3, 30 voted for Sanders and 13 voted for Clinton. They will send four Sanders delegates and two Clinton delegates to the Montezuma County assembly.
One undecided in Precinct 3 was persuaded to support Sanders at the caucus level, but said she is still torn between him and Clinton.
“I like want Bernie stands for, but I fear he will be ineffective in a gridlocked Congress,” she said. “I like the experience of Hillary.”
A straw poll was overwhelmingly for Sanders, and was followed by cheering.
“Bernie has been committed to social justice for 40 years, and can be trusted to have the same priorities as president,” said campaign volunteer Tim Smith.
Clinton supporters said the former senator and Secretary of State has the experience needed to serve as President.
She knows how to get things done,” said one caucus participant. “She has good standing internationally, she respects diplomacy, advocates for children and health care.
Added another woman, “What’s exciting is all the participation here tonight, and that we have two Democratic presidential candidates who are acting like presidential candidates.”
Caucuses are the first step to put candidates on primary and general election ballots. Candidates must receive 15 percent of votes cast at the caucuses to progress to the next level, the county assemblies.