Signature saga plagues GOP Senate primary race

Once considered the favorite to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet, Republican Jon Keyser is under fire for allegedly forging voter signatures to get on the June primary ballot.

He dodged questions when confronted in an interview with KMGH political reporter Marshall Zellinger.

Keyser isn’t the only one having trouble.

Colorado Springs businessman Robert Blaha first didn’t have enough valid signatures to get on the ballot. Then he fought that decision in court and won, but not before calling for the secretary of state’s resignation.

“We knew the signatures were good, as a matter of fact they even rejected my daughter’s signature,” Blaha said.

“He ought to respect people for following the law instead of asking them to break it,” Secretary of State Wayne Williams said.

Candidates are required to get 1,500 signatures from voters in each of Colorado’s seven congressional districts — a total of 10,500.

El Paso County Commissioner Darryl Glenn won a spot on the ballot last month at the state convention and argues every candidate should take that route.

“You’re running for the United States Senate, Glenn said. “If you cannot convince 30 percent of your peers that you’re worthy of that vote, you shouldn’t be on the ballot,”

Former Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier also failed to get the number of signatures needed. He’s taking his fight to the Colorado Supreme Court.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 contacted the Colorado Democratic Party for comment, and spokesman Chris Meagher said: “All five Republican Senate candidates, including Robert Blaha, Ryan Frazier and Jon Keyser, have pledged their support for Donald Trump, despite his offensive rhetoric and policy agenda. They are all out of touch with Colorado and it’s clear that if elected to the Senate, they would make Washington more dysfunctional.”