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Taylor announces candidacy for re-election

Nick Foster

State Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, has formally announced that he will seek re-election. Taylor, who also represents Eagle County in the state Legislature, filed his candidacy weeks ago, but said he has been far too busy to make the announcement public.

“I never quite felt there was a big rush to make a formal announcement,” Taylor said. “I’ve been pretty tied up doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Plus, these campaigns are far too long and too expensive. A two- to four-month campaign should be ample, but it’s just not that way anymore. There’s still seven months to go.”

Democrat Jay Fetcher, a Steamboat Springs-area rancher, has already announced his plan to run for the District 8 seat now held by Taylor. Taylor has spent the past 12 years in the General Assembly, the past four in the Senate after eight years in the House of Representatives.



Taylor said he is seeking re-election because he wants to continue the work he has done in the Legislature.

“I think experience counts,” Taylor said. “It”s not something that’s developed overnight. I hope the voters see that and provide me the opportunity to continue my efforts.”

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Taylor supports Rep. Scott McInnis’ Healthy Forest Act to thin forests for wildfire mitigation and his Healthy Vets Act to provide veterans with more hospitals.

Taylor said water is a priority and he wants to protect supplies on the Western Slope. Also, he said he wants to continue his fight for private property rights and boost standards education at all levels.

One of the roadblocks in the way of education funding is that “Colorado is facing the biggest budget crisis since the Great Depression,” Taylor said.

Taylor said a long-term solution to the state’s fiscal woes is needed and that solution will have to come through voter initiative.

Taylor also wants to find a better way to promote tourism in Colorado, saying that it is “vital to our economy.” His tourism promotion initiative, Amendment 33, which would have allowed gambling at the state’s six horse and dog racetracks, was turned down by voters last November.

Taylor prides himself on having more than 80 percent of his legislation passed.

Taylor is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Legislative Audit Committee and vice chairman of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He is also a member of the Colorado Tourism Board.


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