Editors note: This is the Journals weekly roundup of campaign news.
The Democrat who recently entered the campaign for Montezuma Countys state House seat was charged with shoplifting earlier this month.
Tammy Theis, a Montrose Democrat, entered the race for House District 58 in late August against incumbent Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. The Telluride Watch and Montrose Daily Press reported that Montrose police gave Theis a shoplifting summons at a City Market on Sept. 6. Theis said she made a mistake and said she would continue her campaign.
Hick vs. marijuana: Gov. John Hickenlooper came out Wednesday against Amendment 64, which would legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Colorado is known for many great things marijuana should not be one of them. Amendment 64 has the potential to increase the number of children using drugs and would detract from efforts to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation, Hickenlooper said in a news release.
The leader of the Amendment 64 campaign responded by charging Hickenlooper, a former brewpub owner, with hypocrisy.
After building a personal fortune by selling alcohol to Coloradans, he is now basing his opposition to this measure on concerns about the health of his citizens and the message being sent to children. We certainly hope he is aware that alcohol actually kills people. Marijuana use does not, said Mason Tvert.
Governors say yes on S: Also Wednesday, Hickenlooper joined former Govs. Bill Ritter and Bill Owens to support Referendum S, a set of reforms to the state personnel system. Hickenlooper has been pushing for the reforms since he took office.
Ref S would allow managers at the state greater discretion in hiring employees and gives junior employees more rights if jobs are reduced. The campaigns new website is voteyesons.com.
Poll position: Obama was beating Romney by five points in the first public poll of Colorado likely voters after the national conventions. The poll credited Obamas lead to his showing with women, Latinos and unaffiliated voters.
OnSight Public Affairs, led by the team that ran Hickenloopers 2010 campaign, commissioned the survey, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent.
Countdown: 52 days until the November election. First ballots are mailed to overseas military voters in 7 days.
joeh@cortezjournal.com