Franking Is Question At Center Of Congressional Primary Race

Rep. Doug Lamborn and challenger Robert Blaha go toe to toe for the first time Thursday night in the congressional Republican primary contest, and it’s an opportunity for them to talk about a federal complaint Blaha filed against the incumbent last week with the Franking Commission.

The forum, hosted by the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition, focused mostly on gun rights and shooting range issues. Both Lamborn and Blaha are ardent supporters of the Second Amendment, and there were few differences on many of the questions.

The two are on opposite sides of a debate, though, over mailers sent by Lamborn. Franking allows congressmen and -women to do mass mailings to constituents to keep them abreast of issues and the work being done in Washington D.C. Blaha believes Lamborn has abused the privilege and used the process as a campaign tool.

“Maybe he needs to send his staff to franking school,” said Blaha.

Lamborn dismissed the charges and doesn’t expect an investigation into the matter.

“It’s frivolous,” said Lamborn. “They okayed it, case closed.”

Blaha is a businessman originally from Marshalltown, Iowa. He spent 35 years as an entrepreneur, consultant and manager. Blaha said he’s running based on the results of a survey that found three out of every four people in the region are in favor of someone with a business background in office.

“The problems that were created by the permanent political class can’t be fixed by the permanent political class,” said Blaha. “We need people with business experience to go in and take business acumen and put it to work for us in Washington. It’s not happening, and we all can see the results.”

Lamborn, a former lawyer before becoming a state lawmaker, scoffs at Blaha’s notion that he’s a career politician.

“When I went into the state Legislature the pay was $17,500 a year and I was supporting a family of seven, so it was not a career move,” said Lamborn. “I did it because I cared passionately about making Colorado and our country a better place.”

Lamborn was first elected to Congress in 2006. When asked about future debates with Blaha, he said his record speaks for itself when it comes to his stance on the issues.