If you followed my columns the past few editions, you probably noticed my steadfast opposition to JJ Fletcher challenging Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland in the primary based on the principle the Republican Party supports incumbents in elections.

After all, the Republican Party supports incumbent presidents, senators, congresspeople — even someone undeserving, like Lauren Boebert — all the way down to local elections for county commissioners, mayors and probably even dog catchers.

So, you should ask: Just what did Janet Rowland do to draw the ire and lose the support of the Mesa County Republican Party? Well, it’s because the “Cling-ons” who really run the Mesa County Republicans wanted Janet gone because Janet had the temerity to go after their lord and savior — Jeff Kuhr. The man who they ruled the county through, especially during and after Jeff’s implementing all the COVID-19 mandates of Colorado’s “Polis Bureau.”
I’ll also note Jeff’s efforts extended to trying to bring every human activity in the county under the control of the Mesa County department of health. Jeff was busy buying his way into that from the day he got the job. Then again, that’s why he could garner all that local, Republican support at department of health meetings. And in that sense, Jeff was the man for the local mainstream press, local progressives, community “leaders,” Republicans, Democrats and all those who seek to rule over the serfs.

Given that, you should still ask why Janet investigated Jeff. And you should really pay attention to the answer. First and foremost, it was her job. The fact is Jeff did this to himself and it all stemmed from an offhand comment at a county commissioner’s meeting when someone brought up the name of a contracted employee of the health department no one knew about, A contract employee making $10,000 a month. And it was the latter fact that brought about the audit — requested by the board of health as well — into Jeff’s activities and spending, which became the main reasons for his downfall. Did you read the audit? It’s devastating in the misappropriation of funds and abuse in his ignoring of county policies.

Little of that mattered to the folks who lust to rule over the county. It’s an influential group that used to be comprised of mostly Democrats, mainly because they act like spoiled children not getting their way and always lose elections in Mesa County. But now more Republicans are becoming members of this elite, select group. Ironically, because they’re acting like spoiled children not getting their way and losing elections.

But Janet had another problem. Her seat couldn’t be lost in the general election. It was easy to decide to primary her.

Now you might ask why Jeff didn’t run against Janet. The first reason is obvious. Janet knows what Jeff did wrong and he couldn’t survive a two-minute question-and-answer session against her. It’s easier to run the guy who doesn’t have to answer questions. And that’s how you get JJ Fletcher, who’s running as the surrogate for Jeff, the daily paper, local progressives and out-of-power Republicans all because they desired the same thing. Get Janet out of office. You should also note Jeff has an approved petition to run in case JJ gets out of line.

How do I know the behind-the-scenes players? Easy as well. Just look at local media coverage of JJ during the primary. Literally every glowing story had JJ talking platitudes without answering — or even being asked — any questions about what he’d do as commissioner, presenting new ideas and making statements showing he never read the audit of the department of health- — although he did speak to Jeff and Jeff said it was OK to hire the honey pot. Also included in those same stories were reminders of previous hit pieces written against Janet. As for local progressives’ support, exactly where did JJ set up a meet and greet? In the living room of a top progressive in town, that’s where.

And the Mesa County Republican Party’s silence in not calling out JJ on any of this was deafening except in one area they were very loud: The Dominion voting machine debacle brought to you by another local Republican, Tina Peters. The lies the party spread about it are beyond the pale.

Fact is, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswald decommissioned Mesa County’s machines and mandated they be replaced. Because of that, the county commissioners had to make a tough decision. They did so at NO COST to the county using certified and approved Dominion equipment. That’s not what you heard, was it? Nope. You only heard the Tina Peters/Appleton Dumpling Gang version because it’s about power. Just think of the monuments to self our elite betters can build when they can misappropriate monies and abuse power more unfettered than Jeff — which will dwarf the ones of the city and school district.

Given how effective the Dominion lies were in defeating Janet, perhaps I should have headlined this column “Mesa County Republican Party Peters out after 2024 primary.” I hope Bobbie Daniel is listening. I get the feeling she’s next.