Lawsuit alleges Trisha Calvarese, Democratic nominee for 4th CD special election, is ineligible

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun

Trisha Calvarese’s selection as the Democratic nominee for the June 25 special election in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, a race that will determine who serves out the rest of former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck’s term, is being challenged in court. 

A lawsuit filed Wednesday in Denver against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold alleges that Calvarese was ineligible to be selected by delegates at a special Democratic convention last week because of a provision in state law known as  1–4-402. It says that “any candidate nominated by a political party must be affiliated with the party for at least twelve consecutive months prior to the date the convention begins, as shown in the statewide voter registration system.” 

Calvarese’s state voter file shows she registered in Colorado and as a Democrat on Dec. 16, 2023, less than four months before she was appointed as the party’s nominee. She voted in the presidential primary election in March. Calvarese said Thursday that she’s aware of Glasser’s complaint and plans to fight it.

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