Last week, I met Betsy Markey here in Fort Collins. Betsy is running for U.S. Congress in Congressional District 4 (CD4) -- the seat currently held by Marilyn Musgrave. Angie Paccione is again also running for the same seat, so a primary between Angie and Betsy is quite likely.

Many of us supported Angie quite vigorously with both time and money in 2006. While I love Angie, her passion, and agree with her on many of her positions, I've come to the conclusion that in CD4, Betsy has a far better chance of beating Marilyn Musgrave in the general election. Angie didn't do a good job of addressing the bankruptcy issue and frankly in a heavily rural Republican district an unmarried woman from the Bronx is starting at a disadvantage. In 2006, Angie didn't do nearly as well as she needed in Boulder, Weld, or Larimer counties to overcome the heavily Republican vote on the Eastern Plains. I believe that Angie would do well to run in a more diverse and liberal district such as CD1 or CD2.

 On the other hand, Betsy Markey, is a married mother of three. She has worked for Sen. Ken Salazar as his Regional Director for the north central and high plains region of Colorado for the past two years. This position has allowed her to meet folks all over CD4, help them with their day to day problems, and for them to get to know her. Betsy has also started her own companies, worked for the State Dept., and Congress. You can read more about Betsy at her website (http://markeyforcongress.com/drupal/about_betsy).

More below the fold... 

My first question was "Why do you think you can win in CD4?". Here is her answer (I had her send it to me so that I wouldn't misrepresent it for this post):

For the last 2 1/2 years I have traveled all over the 4th CD as Senator Ken Salazar's Regional Director for this district. I know the issues and I know the people - from advocating for farmers for federal emergency disaster assistance to helping local businesses cut through the red tape of federal regulations. I have worked with elected officials, agricultural groups, businesses and individual citizens and people know that I am a person who gets things done. I know that I can do better than Marilyn Musgrave, which is why I decided to run.

I will win this seat. Marilyn Musgrave is vulnerable, which is why she is trying to change her image. Yet she continues to stand by President Bush on every one of her votes. She recently voted against the Farm Bill, against expanding children's health insurance, and continues to support the war in Iraq.

I am a successful businesswoman, having grown 2 businesses from the ground up. I have worked as a high level official in Washington in both the legislative and executive branches of government. I will hit the ground running. I have been married for 23 years, I have 3 children who have gone through the public schools, I have cared for ailing parents. I understand at a personal level the importance of health care and education, issues of primary importance to voters in the 4th CD. I have the drive, energy and commitment to be successful in this race.

I left our discussion convinced that Betsy can win in CD4. I'd like nothing better than to rid our state's delegation of Marilyn Musgrave and Betsy is the person to do it.

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