YOUR AD HERE »

Obama leading local cash chase

Steve Lynn
Vail, CO Colorado
Preston Utley/Vail DailyDoug Landin works on his computer Thursday in Eagle. He contributed $2,300 to Barack Obama, the top recipient of presidential campaign contributions in Eagle County.
ALL |

EAGLE COUNTY ” Locals’ contributions to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign show that Eagle County liberals are coming out of the “Democratic closet,” New New Wallace says.

The Democratic Illinois senator has raised more money in Eagle County ” a total $43,547 in Avon, Eagle, Edwards and Vail ” than any other candidate, according to opensecrets.org. Former First Lady Sen. Hillary Clinton raised more money only in Vail.

Obama’s successful fundraising efforts reflect a departure from the traditionally Republican-voting region, said Wallace, co-chair of Eagle County Democrats.



“It’s definitely a tidal wave of change here in Eagle County,” Wallace said.

Democrats won heavily in the 2004, when John Kerry beat President Bush, and 2006 elections.

Support Local Journalism



Local money only accounts for a fraction of the nearly $1 million Obama has raised statewide (the most of any candidate) since June 30, according to the Federal Election Commission’s Web site.

However, people in Avon’s zip code gave political parties, candidates and incumbents more than six times the amount than the U.S. average. Vail and Edwards residents gave two and three times the average, according to opensecrets.org.

In Colorado, Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts Governor, ranks second at just less than $500,000, according to the Federal Election Commission.

However, Romney has raised only $6,700 from Avon and Vail locals ” still more than any other Republican. John McCain got $1,550 from locals in Edwards and Vail.

The Iraq War is dragging Republicans down and that’s reflected in their low fundraising numbers, Wallace said.

“People are tired of the people in power doing whatever they want without a second thought as to what people think,” she said.

Douglas Landin, of Eagle, gave $2,300 to Obama’s presidential campaign, but thinks it’s too early to tell whether the trend favoring Democrats will stick, he said.

“I like him because he’s the most ‘unpolitician’ of all the politicians,” Landin said. “He’s intelligent and honest and seems like he would get things done.”

Other contributors to Obama’s campaign include Vail developer Harry Frampton and wife, Susan Frampton, who gave $2,300 apiece. Other $2,300 contributions were from Abigail Bergeron, of Avon; Melanie Buscher, of Cordillera; Mary Isom, of Edwards; Alison Knapp, of Avon; Amy Coyer, of Avon; Nadine, Richard and Susan Rogel, of Avon; Therese Landin, of Eagle; and Susan and Thomas Washing, of Avon.

For Clinton, Pat McConathy, chief executive officer of Phoenix Oil and Gas, and Robin Hernreich, of Edwards, gave $2,300 each. Prisca Boris, of Vail, gave several thousand dollars.

For Romney, Peter Kalkus, of Vail, and Jennifer Dean, of Avon, gave $2,300 each. Richard Knowlton, of Vail, gave $2,100.

For Richardson, $2,300 contributions were from Hernreich, and Michele and Scott Hovey, of Edwards.

Many people contacted for this story did not want to discuss their contributions.

Obama’s campaign fundraising efforts also outpaced other presidential candidates in Aspen. Aspen has accounted for $26,810 of the $34 million the freshman Illinois senator raised in the first six months of the year.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., came second with $14,920, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was third with $12,500. Rudolph Giuliani brought in $12,000, putting him fourth on the list and the top Republican money-getter in Aspen.

Aspen Times Editor Rick Carroll contributed to this report. Staff Writer Steve Lynn can be reached at 748-2931 or slynn@vaildaily.com.


Support Local Journalism