Holtzman Screws Up, Sort Of

Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman screwed up this week, not once but twice. According to The Rocky Mountain News:

In a mass e-mail sent Tuesday, Holtzman and his staff made faux pas on two fronts: campaign finance reports and a mailing list that included state employees. First, Holtzman urged supporters to overnight a campaign donation to make Thursday's contribution deadline for the second quarter of 2005. "Checks received before July 15, but dated prior to June 30, will still count," the e-mail read.

Not according to state campaign finance regulations. Documents from the Secretary of State's Office specify that a contribution is "considered made or received as of the date that it is accepted by the committee or party." Checks are considered received on the day of their deposit, according to regulations. Holtzman's staff acknowledged the error.

According to the Holtzman campaign, it was an overzealous volunteer who made the mistake regarding the campaign finance mistake, but that doesn't really matter because Holtzman will get blamed anyway.

On the second front, some state employees received the e-mail at work, raising questions about the use of resources by a candidate who formerly served in Gov. Bill Owens' Cabinet. Holtzman was secretary of technology from 1999 to 2003. This time, Holtzman's staff not only responded to the error but fired back with a salvo of its own.

"Our opposition is trying to draw attention away from the fact that we are going to report a huge amount of campaign contributions this cycle," [Spokeswoman Laura] Teal said. Holtzman's "personal Rolodex" was used as a mailing list, Teal said. Obviously, in the future, we are going to make sure no campaign e-mails go to state addresses," she said.

This one isn't a deal by any means, though it was a good move for Holtzman's opposition to bring it up and get him a negative news story.

Comments

[Donald E. L. Johnson]

So does this suggest Marc is a good salesman and delegator, but not good at hiring detail people---that he's not a detail kinda guy?

Everybody makes mistakes, but this doesn't look good.

[jon]

I'm sure LT, with her vast wealth of experience and knowledge, on the campaign trail will be able to clean this mess up effortlessly. I bet they won't even have to refund any money.

Sarcasm drips. . .

Again, Dirk, I am so sorry.

[candyraver]

What no one seems to be talking about (not just related to this issue but with his campaign in general) is that MH has a reputation for making sure he "knows everyone" - and being ingenuous at that. his 'personal rolodex' is chock full of all the people he's managed to align himself with over the years and now he's calling in the favors. MH's contributions are high because he's having no trouble getting people in that rolodex to right him a check to make him go away. Let's see where his coffers stand in 6 months relative to today. I always reserve the right to get smarter.

[quick]

Well - at least they nipped this in the bud - rather than deal with it in Mexican Time. And did I get this straight?!? They ACTUALLY NAMED the volunteer??? Imagine - taking responsibility AND explaining everything that occured.

[ziik]

Poor Kyle Peters

[shamus]

What a classy act of leadership to stand up for the poor volunter and not let them single him out by name... Oh wait, on second thought, let's just throw him in front of the bus.

[Defero Veritas]

No kidding - thanks for volunteering huh? What a great message to send the grassroots - "Be sure to check 'Scapegoat' on your volunteer card!"

[West Sloper]

MH made one other mistake last week. He sent out a fundraising letter to Western Slope Republicans signed by non other tha former Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer Senior. We got to all work together on them water issues!! I hope he sent the same letter to Pueblo and the Arkansaw Valley.

[CD3]

And don't forget: Holtzman was the only member of the Gov's cabinet who acutally opposed the REF A/water grab back in 2002. Folks still remember THAT debacle.

[Raven Betina Rudduck]

I would appreciate either an email or phone call from Mr. Holtzman. I am a delegate for county and state and a committee person.
Thank you,
RBR