CO State Senator Evie Hudak Resigns In Face of Recall

[Justin]

http://kdvr.com/2013/11/27/hudak-wi...recall-threat-hold-Democrats-senate-majority/

DENVER — State Sen. Evie Hudak has decided to resign rather than risk facing a recall election that, should she lose, would flip control of the senate to Republicans, FOX31 Denver was first to report Wednesday.
Later Wednesday morning, Hudak made her resignation letter public.
“In the interest of preserving the progress made over the last year, I am resigning as State Senator for District 19, effective immediately,” Hudak wrote.

It's not quite as satisfying as seeing Morse and Giron thrown out in disgrace, but it's still a win in my book.

 

[hso]

Doesn't her party get to appoint someone to fill her seat until the next election?

Wouldn't the recall have put someone from the opposition into her seat?

Would that replacement from the opposition have changed the balance of power in the CO Senate?

This is great that they were scared enough for the majority party to have her resign instead of losing majority control of the Senate, but it doesn't get the insane laws passed by the CO legislature reversed and it makes it actually more difficult to get them reversed now.

Hudak was being targeted for a recall as a response to her support for new gun control laws, a tactic that earlier this year ousted two state legislators for the first time in Colorado history.

The first effort to oust Hudak was scrapped after this year's legislative session, while gun rights activists focused on recalling Senate President John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) and Sen. Angela Giron (D-Pueblo).

In a close district, Morse was expected to be vulnerable, but political watchers in Colorado were surprised when Giron lost what was considered to be a safe Democratic seat.

Hudak, who gained the ire of conservatives during the debate over gun control, was not in a safe district.

With a libertarian candidate splitting the vote, Hudak won her seat in 2012 with only a 47 percent plurality, beating Republican Lang Sias by fewer than 600 votes.

Democrats now hold only a one-seat majority in the state senate. A successful recall of a Democrat would be enough to flip control to Republicans.

Hudak preventing that by resigning, a move that will allow Democrats to pick a replacement.

http://www.9news.com/news/article/366456/339/Sen-Hudak-resigns-ahead-of-recall-threat

 

[MErl]

Yes, yes, and yes.

A resignation was expected if it looked like it was going to go to an election.

 

[medalguy]

Funny how that works, that politics stuff. Currently 18 dems 17 repubs. Well make that 17 & 17.

 

[hso]

No, it still gives the majority to the people that passed the draconian Anti laws in CO.

Only an effective recall replacing Hudak would have taken the majority from the Antis.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Where is the democratic process in allowing them to appoint a representative...there should be a new election regardless..her successor should face recall as well

 

[hso]

It is completely legal for the appointment of a replacement when someone resigns/dies. This isn't unusual.

It is just unfortunate that the Antis in CO decided to not take the chance on beating the recall and badly damaging the RKBA efforts in CO. They didn't want to gamble.

That's too bad, because I think the people pushing the recall had a real chance of throwing Hudak out and someone supportive of RKBA taking that seat. That would have really crushed the Antis and would have set things up for more wins come election time. It also would have given momentum to our side nationally and helped states like NY throw off the SAFE law there.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I didn't say it wasn't legal...I was just questioning WHY it is legal.

Why shouldn't her successor face recall as well?

Heck in this way a person could resign the day they take office and allow a person who had no chance of getting elected to take their place. It is a complete subversion of the democratic process. The voter didn't vote for her party, they voted for her, and when she vacates her seat, the voters ought to choose her replacement.

 

[danez71]

I think there is a way for the citizens to force a "special election"; through petitions etc I would guess.

They would be smart to keep the momentum going and try this under the idea that HER appointee will be just like HER.

In other words, (speaking to the citizens) why would you want a Hudak clone... lets vote for who we want to replace her which was the purpose of the recall in the 1st place.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

No, it still gives the majority to the people that passed the draconian Anti laws in CO.

But shouldn't this serve to make the legislators think twice before voting for anti-gun legislation? I would think that would serve as some deterrent.

 

[Ryanxia]

I was just about to make the point hat Hoofan did that theoretically couldn't an entire senate resign and appoint a whole new group of questionable people? (such as foreigners recently become American with other intentions).
Just a hypothetical question, I'm not conspiracy theorying here.

 

[hso]

More draconian laws aren't likely before the election, but it doesn't get the ones in place reversed. Unless CO can throw off these shackles and their Jailers there's no victory to celebrate.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Why does her resignation halt the recall process? Let it continue, and then elect a Republican.

 

[MErl]

More draconian laws aren't likely before the election, but it doesn't get the ones in place reversed. Unless CO can throw off these shackles and their Jailers there's no victory to celebrate.

The laws are not getting reversed before the election no matter how the recall goes. House and Governor would block any attempt at that.

What a change in the senate control would have done is stopped one party from passing anything without input from the other side. Was seen in the 2013 elections here that more than guns were at issue last session. Because the party in power wants to remain in absolute power at least through next year, the resignation was expected.

 

[Outlaw Man]

First, I'm glad to see another one standing in the unemployment line (figuratively, of course).

I agree that replacing her with someone more pro-gun would have been good, but this likely has zero impact on overturning the legislation. Even with a majority, they'd still have to get a new bill past the Governor.

I'm glad they got her to step down, and I want to see the momentum keep going - it will serve to help oust the rest of them in the upcoming elections. I know another Republican reduces the likelihood of more anti-gun legislation being pushed through, but I don't see this as a negative in any way, other than those people in that district still won't have a true representative. That's an entirely different issue, though.

 

[jmr40]

Not really a win, but it does send a message that will be heard in all 50 states.

Where is the democratic process in allowing them to appoint a representative...there should be a new election regardless..her successor should face recall as well

The United states is not a Democracy. We are a Republic. That fine line is often misunderstood. Originally Senators were not elected directly by the people, but appointed. It would not be out of line at all to appoint a new Senator.


http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democracy_vs_Republic

 

[Fremmer]

Hey folks, this is great, even though the anti-gun Democrats maintain a very slim majority in the Colorado senate. Every time one of them is recalled or has to resign to avoid recall, it sends shock waves through the Democratic Party. They will get the message that Colorado doesn't want Bloomberg gun control!

 

[hso]

Any opportunity to go after House members?

 

[LeonCarr]

Na Na Na Na

Na Na Na Na

Hey Hey Hey

Goodbye

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[saturdaynightpolitics]

Funny how that works, that politics stuff. Currently 18 dems 17 repubs. Well make that 17 & 17.

I don't know the laws for CO but if it is like most states I imagine they resigned so that the Gov, a dem, can appoint a dem replacement so they can keep their majority.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Republics can have democratic process...and ours does...ever heard of a referendum?

 

[Flfiremedic]

I'd call this a win. The message this sent will be heard loud and clear. My bet is that quite a few Democrats seriously regret their vote...not ideologically, but certainly from a re-elected standpoint.

 

[MErl]

Any opportunity to go after House members?

It is possible, looks like there was at least one attempt.
Michael_McLachlan_recall,_Colorado_House_of_Representatives

A quick scan of the recall portion of the CO constitution (linked above) does not look hopeful for the recall to apply against any appointed replacement.

 

[NickEllis]

Not really a win, but it does send a message that will be heard in all 50 states.

If Diane Feinstein resigned, but was replaced by a Democrat, would that also not be a win?

Some of you guys are thinking as non-Coloradans. This old girl was one of the worst of the bunch, and having her gone is a big win for Colorado politics. It's not just about national politics, or about balance of power issues, but also about the quality of personnel regardless of party.

Three antis gone because of the laws that were passed? This is resonating within Colorado politics for sure.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Depends on who replaced her...someone like Bloomberg would be a loss