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Chuck And Julie Show with Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden
Colorado Clerk’s Association "Gold Standard", Election Integrity and Political Corruption in Colorado
We told you it wasn’t the “gold standard”. Ashe Epp reports Colorado’s largest Clerk has pulled out of the corrupt State Clerk’s Association. Naming names and revealing receipts
This episode of The Chuck & Julie Show features election integrity expert Ashe Epp discussing the high-profile resignation of El Paso County’s clerk from the Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA). The conversation explores alleged conflicts of interest within the election industry, the strategic "sacrificing" of Secretary of State Jena Griswold by the Democratic establishment, and the internal friction between grassroots conservatives and the GOP leadership following the recent state assembly.
The CCCA Resignation and Industry "Incestuousness"
The discussion opens with the resignation of El Paso County Clerk Schleicher from his leadership position at the CCCA. Ashe Epp argues that the association has become a "skin suit" for political agendas, specifically naming Matt Crane as a central figure driving policy through a small, exclusive club. The resignation letter allegedly reveals that Schleicher was blocked from meetings with the Department of State due to "trust issues," a claim he later found to be a fabrication by association leadership. The hosts highlight what they describe as an "incestuous" election industry, citing family ties between officials and vendors like Dominion Voting Systems and Runbeck Services. They argue that centralization in election technology creates a complexity that hides potential corruption, leaving smaller rural clerks dependent on the CCCA for resources and professional development they cannot provide themselves.
The Strategic "Under-the-Bus" Maneuver for Jena Griswold
Apt presents a thesis regarding the sudden shift in the Democratic narrative surrounding Secretary of State Jena Griswold. While previously a "rising star," Griswold is now facing internal criticism and staff-related scandals. Apt suggests this is a coordinated effort to offer her as a "sacrificial lamb" to appease public demands for accountability without changing the underlying system. The theory posits that Griswold is an "isolated political product" while the actual operations of the office are handled by career staff and outside counsel, such as Andrew Klein. By removing Griswold, the establishment may attempt to preserve the "gold standard" reputation of the election system while distancing themselves from her personal controversies and legal battles.
GOP Assembly and the Threat of "Jungle Primaries"
Chuck Bonino reflects on the recent Republican Assembly, expressing disappointment over the dominance of "establishment" candidates like Gabe Evans, who he claims is backed by "big money" from Americans for Prosperity. The hosts argue that the current caucus and assembly system is under threat from proponents of "jungle primaries," which would allow unaffiliated voters to determine Republican candidates. Bonino contends that this shift would effectively end the influence of the grassroots, as billionaire-funded nonprofits would dictate winners through massive spending. He highlights a fundamental divide within the party regarding the "opt-out" rule, which determines whether the party can prevent non-Republicans from participating in their primary process.
Economic Concerns and Denver’s Decline
The episode concludes with a grim outlook on Colorado’s economy. Bonino points to the departure of major companies like Palantir and the devaluation of downtown office buildings, which are reportedly selling for "dimes on the dollar." He blames over-regulation and the potential for new "millionaire taxes" for driving wealth and industry to states like Texas and Florida. The hosts fear that without a significant shift in leadership, the state will continue to lose its high-tech and energy sectors, leaving a hollowed-out economy.
The episode underscores a deep-seated distrust of current election management in Colorado and highlights a pivotal moment for the state's Republican Party. Between the legal battles of figures like Tina Peters and the structural debates over primary formats, the hosts suggest that Colorado's political and economic future hinges on whether the "grassroots" can successfully challenge the established "industrial" and "political" complexes.