War of the fliers: Charges of inaccurate campaign literature in Colorado Springs
A new campaign door hanger for Lynette Crow-Iverson, District 5 challenger for the City Council, touts an endorsement by the Regional Business Alliance, now known as the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.
The Chamber & EDC does not endorse candidates, said Patrice Lehermeier, communications manager for the organization.
Even the group’s PAC doesn’t endorse candidates, said Andy Merritt, chief defense industry officer.
The door hanger says it was paid for by Colorado Citizens for Protecting Our Constitution, a nonprofit that doesn’t disclose its donors under an IRS exemption.
It also says: “NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE.”
Dede Laugesen, registered agent of CCPOC, did not return a call seeking comment. She is married to Wayne Laugesen, editorial page editor of The Gazette.
Crow-Iverson said the Chamber & EDC “don’t endorse; I know that for a fact. I don’t have any idea who they (hanger distributors) are … The list of endorsements is on my website.”
Meanwhile, the campaign of Jill Gaebler, the incumbent District 5 councilwoman and Crow-Iverson’s opponent, mailed literature referring to “liberal Lynette,” saying she lobbied for “$250 million in new taxes,” referring to Ballot Issue 2C, which Gaebler also supported and which voters passed in 2015 to improve city roads.
Crow-Iverson said she would support five more years of 2C for roads; Gaebler has said she would not.
Lynette Crow-Iverson Friday, February 10, 2017. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Lynette Crow-Iverson Friday, February 10, 2017. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette