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| Loveland - November 24, 2008 under the rug. Marostica has begun speaking more openly about his political ambitions to state and county Republican party leaders. in recent weeks to assemble a steering committee and seek large donor commitments for the race. According to inside accounts, Marostica is looking to self fund approximately 50% of his campaign costs while he expects to raise the other 50% from business interests throughout the state. He has courted some business interests during his time in the legislature apparently in hopes of receiving their backing. Marostica was said to be waiting for current Governor Ritter to step down after two terms in 2014 (due to term limits) but instead decided he can't wait and will challenge Ritter in 2010. Among Marostica's concerns according to one source has been his dream of emulating former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell by riding one of his Harley Davidson motorcycles to the Governor's mansion each day. Marostica, born in March of 1948, is now 60 years old and will be in his late 60's if he waits to run in 2014. Marostica may encounter some uphill sledding if those he is seeking endorsements from take a closer look at his voting record. On immigration, taxes and consumer issues he votes regularly with the Democrat majority in the legislature and less with his own party than most other Republicans. Below is a quick summary of his voting record on key issues: Fiscal Liberal CUT (Colorado Union of Taxpayers) gave the Colorado State Legislature an "F! Another failing grade for the Colorado Legislature! FasTracks is a dismal failure, over budget, behind schedule so increase the RTD Board's annual compensation." The Colorado Union of Taxpayers also rated Marostica at only 22 out of 100 (a failing grade) in their 2008 Rating Scorecard as he was more often supporting the Democrat majority against his fellow Republicans on spending and tax issues. Marostica was rated as the third most liberal taxing Republican in the legislature and received a score below Democrats like Paul Weissmann of Louisville who scored just under 50 in the ratings. Kevin Lundberg, House District 49, as an example, received a rating of 77 from the taxpayer watchdog group while most Republicans scored between 50 to 90. Immigration On immigration Marostica was among a very few Republicans to break ranks with his colleagues and support HB 1313 in the 2007 legislative session. The controversial bill was an attempt to overturn safe-guards put in-place by the previous Republican controlled legislature to require legal residency in the country be demonstrated before obtaining a driver's license in Colorado. Click here to see Sec. Coffman's press release urging a veto of HB07 1313 to Governor Ritter. Marostica became an advocate for the development community in opposing restrictions on illegal aliens who can serve as cheap labor at construction sites despite his campaign promises to use his state position to crack down on illegal immigration. In response to overwhelming public opinion against the bill and for national security reasons in the above plea by the Colorado Secretary of State, Governor Ritter vetoed the legislation and instead used administrative means to relax the but not eliminate the restrictions. Had Marostica and the group of Democrats prevailed, illegal aliens would be allowed to obtain driver's licenses in this state more easily. Marostica has also regularly opposed any efforts to require employer verification through electronic or other means or to hold employers responsible for employing undocumented workers. Summary It would make an interesting campaign to field a Republican who appears to have a more loyal record to Democrats in the legislature than does their own incumbent Governor. Outside gun rights, Marostica is often found on the other side of the isle fighting against his own colleagues but his ability to largely self-fund his campaigns makes him a formidable candidate in any primary. Whether Republicans will support him for Governor over a primary candidate who is a fiscal conservative who better reflects the party's values remains to be seen. Eider way, he is now preparing to seek his party's nomination to be the Governor of Colorado in 2010 and has specific plans to increase his name identification to voters outside his Loveland centered House District 51. Expect to hear more from him in 2009. |
| Marostica To Run For Governor State House Rep. Don Marostica Preparing for Governor Race in 2010 |
| Don Marostica on a motorcycle tour |
| State House Rep. District 51 |