ASHE IN AMERICA — OPINION
The tone was set for the 74th Colorado General Assembly, when on its very first day, Palestinian protesters disrupted an official government proceeding with shouts for a ceasefire in Gaza. It’s unclear what the mob expects the Colorado state legislature to do about the war between Israel and Gaza, but you can bet virtue signals will decorate the 2024 session.
As Republicans have been impotent in the legislature for years, many of the GOP’s state reps find value in using the well to practice their messaging for the campaign trail.
House Minority Leader Mike Lynch attempted a commanding posture when he urged his colleagues to remember the people of Colorado, stating, “We are easily tempted to put party over the people and service takes a second seat to our personal ambitions.”
This is funny because Lynch’s personal ambition is to be my congressman in CD4. He faces a crowded field that includes a bunch of other establishment republicans as well as former State Senator Ted Harvey, entrepreneur Deborah Flora, and political newcomer Trent Leisy. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert entered the race as well for some unknown reason.
I had the opportunity to ask Representative Lynch some questions during an AssembleXCO space on X earlier this month, and he told me about his priorities for the 2024 session. The space is recorded, and you can listen at the link below. My discussion begins at the 45 minute mark. I’m one of the hosts of AssembleXCO, and we are interviewing all candidates and state figures who aren’t afraid to step into the arena. Follow the account on X at @AssembleXCO, and join the conversation!
Tell Me How You’re Different
“My biggest fight down there is with fentanyl,” Lynch said when I asked him about his legislative priorities. In terms of solutions, he spoke of increased possession penalties and strong deterrents. Tell me you’ve never met an addict without telling me.
When I asked him about his political calculus for prioritizing fentanyl over homelessness, taxes, the sanctuary crisis, and other important issues to Colorado voters, he said, “That’s an area that I’ve worked on my entire legislative career… but primarily, it’s because it’s killing people. It’s the one issue — you know, property tax is a pain in the butt, and it’s gonna run some people out of the state, but it’s not going to kill them.”
Suicide rates are at all time highs under Bidenomics and the current state government. I dispute the idea that the tax crisis isn’t going to kill people. It’s a contributing factor that already is killing them in the mental health crisis. I’d argue most Colorado voters would prioritize mental health and Colorado quality of life before criminalizing addiction and attempting, yet again, to win the war on drugs. Also, you can’t address the fentanyl problem without addressing the border and pretending you can is silly and wasteful.
For my last question set, I asked him pointedly, “Do you believe January 6 was an insurrection?” He said, “I do not,” but did not elaborate. When I asked him about the weaponization of government, he said he believed the real problem was that law enforcement has been too hamstrung because of, “the government taking away our ability to enforce laws.”
Oh dear.
I asked him about the JTTF and Rebecca Lavrens, the praying grandmother, being shackled in Denver, he told me of those federal and state collaborations, “I don’t really see that as law enforcement.” That’s more the agencies, he said, and we need President Trump to come back and fix it.
He’s the House Minority Leader in our state. What’s that old adage about evil and good men?
Back to the first day of the legislative session, “I implore you to remember it is not you that sits in those seats, it is the thousands of people who put you there. Those voices are important, as well,” Lynch said.
Those voices aren’t important “as well.” Those voices are important. The voices of those in the seats may be important “as well” but only inasmuch as they speak for those who sent them.
The Colorado primary will be conducted on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024, with the 2024 Colorado Republican Assembly and Convention scheduled for April.
Ashe Epp is a writer and activist. You can find all her work at Linktree.com/asheinamerica