By Rocky Mountain Voice staff
More than two dozen Republican leaders in Colorado have lent their endorsements to Brita Horn, as the race for the Republican Party’s leadership begins to heat up.
The election of a chair, vice chair and secretary to head up the party is expected to take place sometime in mid to late March, a party insider told the Rocky Mountain Voice. Thus far, Horn is one of two announced candidates for party chair, decided by about 500 members of the party’s central committee.
A press release announcing the endorsements includes former and present state officials and candidates, current and present party leadership in the General Assembly, candidates for congress and many county party leaders, among others.
“I am humbled and honored by the outcrying of support I have received, thus far, after announcing my campaign for chair,” Horn said. “Many of these endorsements come from grassroots leaders, activists and candidates I have worked with in the past and have seen my drive and work ethic up close.”
She notes the support aligns with one of her priorities, should she be elected chair.
“I think this speaks volumes about my ability to build relationships, one of my three priorities as your next state chair,” Horn said.
Colorado House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost and state Reps. Carlos Barron and Ryan Gonzalez join former House Minority Leader Mike Lynch and former Rep. Tonya Van Beber in supporting Horn, giving her strong support from Weld County. She’s also supported by Republican National Committeewoman Christy Fidura and by Heidi Ganahl, formerly an at-large elected member of the University of Colorado’s board of regents.
In addition to Ganahl who was the 2022 Republican nominee for governor, two other former candidates for governor — Jeff Fry and Jerry Natividad — have endorsed Horn. The past two Republican nominees for the 6th District in the U.S. House — Steven Monahan and John Fabbricatore — have supported Horn.
“Colorado Republicans, more than ever, need a chair who can unite us. Brita Horn can do that,” Ganahl, the president of Rocky Mountain Voice, said in the press release. “We have been on the front lines together in Colorado politics for a decade. As chair, I know Brita will be working from day one to ensure 2026 will be the best year Republicans have seen in a long time.”
Other elected officials lending their support include Centennial Councilmember Rich Holt and former El Paso County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf.
“Republicans need a chair who will not divide and attack our own party, but rather unite us and stand with our candidates and elected officials,” said newly-elected Rep. Gonzalez. “I am supporting Brita for state party chair because I know she will do everything she can to help candidates like me get elected and remain elected.”
Leadership in four county Republican parties also have endorsed Horn. They include from Arapahoe County, Anne Rowland, chair, and Ron Redden, vice chair; from Broomfield County, Heather Shidham, 1st Vice Chair; from Chaffee County, Dave Williams, chair, and Jennifer Baker, secretary; and from Grand County, Dave Buckley, chair, and Rebecca Guthrie, secretary. Additionally, Laci Williams, the co-chair of the Colorado Young Republicans, and Drew Bolin, the president of the Lincoln Club of Colorado, have each endorsed Horn, the press release reads.
The list of endorsements also includes El Paso County activist Betsy VanderWeft, Lipstick Tactical founder Amanda Hardin, founder of Never Surrender Natalee Tennant, and founder of Rally for Our Right Lesley Hollywood
The press release also notes Horn’s role with CPAC, with a stement from the CPAC headquarters: “Brita is an integral part of the team that puts on CPAC in DC 2025 as she handles our volunteer teams during the event. She does an amazing job energizing and mobilizing all of our volunteers each day.”
Darcy Schoening, the Colorado Republican Party’s director of special initiatives, announced her candidacy for Colorado Republican Party chair this week. Current Chair Dave Williams has not yet indicated whether he would seek re-election.
*Note: In addition to Ganahl, Laci Williams is the social media manager for Rocky Mountain Voice and Hardin is an ambassador for Rocky Mountain Voice, the publisher of this article.
*Clarification: The endorsement of Brita Horn by Dave Williams is offered by the Chaffee County chairman, and not by Dave Williams the chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, who resides in El Paso County.