Republican Greg Lopez skips special election debate in congressional contest

Colorado’s 4th Congressional District special election debate on Saturday at the Grizzly Rose featured two political novices: a man who doesn’t want to win and an empty seat reserved for the presumptive favorite in the race.

Republican Greg Lopez was a no-show at the debate sponsored by the Republican Women of Weld and the Lincoln Club of Colorado, a decision that Libertarian candidate Hannah Goodman called a travesty.

“I don’t approve of taking your prom and going home when things don’t seem to be going your way,” she told a crowd of about 200 people gathered at the venerable country-western bar in Adams County, just over the Denver line. “What an example for today’s youth.”

Women of Weld Republican Vice President Tammy Klein said Lopez, a former Parker mayor and past unsuccessful candidate for governor, withdrew a day before the event after asking the organization to support him in the race, but it declined.

“We feel it is inappropriate (to issue an endorsement),” Klein said, noting that four candidates from across the political spectrum were invited to debate in the race to serve out the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck’s term to fill in.

Buck resigned from Congress in March, leading to a special election on June 25 to fill his seat until Congress’s new term begins in January. That is also the date for Colorado’s eight congressional primaries. The 4th District, which includes the Eastern Plains and densely populated Douglas County, is one of Colorado’s most reliably Republican strongholds.

Trisha Calvarese is the Democrats’ nominee for the district’s special election. She also wants to get on the district’s ballot in November to face one of six Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert.

The 37-year-old labor lawyer, who lives in Highlands Ranch and spent part of her childhood in Sterling, said she has debated Lopez twice before.

“I didn’t mean to debate him so loudly to scare him,” she told JS after the debate.

The reaction to Lopez’s absence was not positive among the Republican faithful who came to see him debate.

“You have to show up for everyone you can — these are his people,” said Lori Garcia Sander, a Republican running for a state House seat in the 4th District. “I was disappointed.”

There were two more Republican debates at the Grizzly Rose on Saturday afternoon. Former state lawmaker Janak Joshi sparred with state Rep. Gabe Evans in the 8th Congressional District, while five of the six candidates in the 4th District — Boebert had declined an invitation weeks ago — wrestled each other on stage.

A request for comment from the Lopez campaign was not immediately returned Saturday. He is only running to fill Buck’s term and will not appear in the June 25 primary.

Calvarese, the Democrat, said she supports continued financial assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia, a position that has been opposed by much of the Republican Party.

“We must support our Democratic allies,” she said.

Her father’s union benefits, she said, helped him pay for medications when he was diagnosed with cancer. She has received the endorsement of the Colorado AFL-CIO.

“I got four more years with my dad because he could get his medication,” Calvarese said. “I am for families. I am in favor of people who work for a living. That is what I stand for.”