Speculation about Don Marostica changing his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat have abounded now for years. We don’t believe it is likely because Arlen Specter’s situation is very different for many reasons; not the least of which Democrats like Specter. In the case of Marostica, Democrats only like him right where he is – twisting a knife in the back of his fellow Republicans.
Solomon (a local Republican activist) emailed his many friends two weeks ago in preparation of Marostica’s fence mending meeting at Penguin’s coffee shop in Loveland. The email stated the following:
I have been in communication with Rep Don Maroctica’s office to set up a meeting. We will have a meeting with Rep. Don Marostica on the 25 of April 9:00 AM at Penguins. This will give us the opportunity to discuss with him issues that we feel are important to us. I have talked with a lot of you and you have voiced a disapproval with Rep. Don Marostica. This is your opportunity to talk with him face to face. You can email him and let him know what are some of the topics that you would like to discuss at Don@donmarostica.com.
Anyone familiar with Marostica’s city council history knows he abandoned his public service mid-term when it was no longer advantageous for his business. He has clearly given-up on his dreams to run for governor and is now trying to get the best deal he can from Governor Ritter to influence the flow of the federal stimulus dollars.
Marostica came across as a self-impressed bellicose man during Saturday’s meeting who is used to being a big fish in a small pond. His Republican colleagues in Denver are certainly difficult for him to understand. They don’t necessarily put status, power and money ahead of principle when serving in public office. Marostica will never be satisfied with his party’s leadership (from either party) as long as those individuals elevate principle over personal ambitions.
Marostica’s transparent pursuit of prestige and money combined with his lack of refinement and intellect make for an awful legislator regardless of his party affiliation. His absolute abandonment of any guiding principle or philosophy regarding government also make him dangerous to his party.
Loveland needs to expunge itself of this embarrassing episode in representative government when money alone allowed a person who didn’t know the difference between a “legislature” and a “legislator” to represent them in Denver. Marostica continues to refer to himself as a “legislature” in public meetings.
Let this be a lesson that we need better candidate forums and a more rigorous press to ferret out the opportunists from the sincere. As for Republicans, finding a qualified candidate who has more integrity than Don Marostica to serve in public office should be an easy task; nearly everyone in Loveland qualifies.
While Marostica continues to publicly tell the leadership in his party to “go jump in a lake” we are hoping he takes his own advice. If not, the Republican voters in the next primary will certainly be happy to do it for him.
What are your thoughts? Click here to read what Marostica said last Saturday about his colleagues and various issues.
Did he really say these things? If he did, why would any Republican possibly support him in continuing to abuse fellow Republicans?
The person who most helped Rep. Nikkel get the transparency bill through committee was Will Coyne, chief of staff to Speaker Carroll. This is an issue that has crossed party lines, and Rep. Nikkel has done an outstanding job in bridging that gap and getting this bill through the House. She had 9 Dems sign onto the bill as supporters, the bill passed committee unanimously, and passed the house by a 61-4 vote. That doesn’t sound like a bill the Democrats were ready to kill the bill before Marostica’s supposed influence.
Rep. Cory Gardner introduced SJM09-006 along with Senator Lundberg condemning earmarks. None of the bills that Rep. Gardner introduced ask for an earmark, nor do they divert funds to projects in his district. Hardly the behavior of someone privately asking for an earmark to make himself “look good” for a potential congressional run. I also have it on good authority that Rep. Marostica is now denying having said anything of the kind about Rep. Gardner, but I was at the meeting and heard by many others–it was said.
Don Marostica was elected to higher office because the McWhinneys got The Reporter-Herald to run a smear campaign against Jim Welker, who refused to kiss up to either McWhinney or bow to Ed Lehman.
Patrick is correct. Don did just that and everyone I know in the meeting were appauled.
Now for the news. I hear Kevan McNaught is going to run against Don in the primary. If he does, it will be a cake walk.
The Larimer County Republican Party condones Don Marostica. The Larimer County Republican Party takes money from Ed Lehman, who uses his newspapers to push an anti-American agenda. The Larimer County Republcian Party condones the McWhinney bag man, Andrew Boucher, now under investigation.
I want no part of the Republican Party.
The Larimer County Republican Party is obligated under its bylaws to support Republican candidates, despite the personal feelings of those elected to its central committee or executive board. The same party also supports Senator Kevin Lundberg and Representative B.J. Nikkel, both of whom are outstanding legislators.
In other words – the Republican Party is no different the Democratic Party.
Sen Lundberg and Rep Nikkel represent their constituents. That’s exactly what an elected legislature is supposed to do in a republic. You can like their positions or dislike them, and in the next election, voters get to decide if they like their representation.
Funny, I don’t think Rep. Marostica got the memo. He seems to think he bought a kingdom, or at least a fiefdom, where the rest of us are serfs.
Before the next election cycle begins full stride serious housekeeping at the Larimer County Republican Party must take place:
- Say ‘no’ to the dirty money of Ed Lehman.
- Stand up to the lies and fraud that his newspaper, The Reporter-Herald, publishes almost daily in “The RH Line”.
- Tell the McWhinneys and their bag man, Andrew Boucher, to take a hike back to California and New Hampshire, respectively.
- Send the latest chair of the Republican Party packing. He has made it clear he is unfit to hold this particular position.
- Encourage and support people who are real leaders to run for office.
Ryan, I agree with you wholeheartedly. These people aren’t Republican, or for that matter Democrat. They’re just opportunistic operators, playing both sides for the middle.