By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff
With less than three weeks until the March 29th election for Colorado GOP Chair, Rocky Mountain Voice reached out to all declared candidates with key questions about their vision, fundraising strategy, approach to unaffiliated voters, and stance on Proposition 108.
So far, Brita Horn is the only candidate to respond. Darcy Schoening and Lori Saine have yet to reply, and we will be reaching out to Richard Holtorf and Jimmy Mack this week for their positions.
Why are you running for Chair?
My heart is on fire for Colorado, not to sow discord or pit different factions against each other— I’m here to bring us together with a clear, strategic, and winning plan.
Our party has lost its purpose with division and infighting and we need for a leader who unites and rebuilds the party, not someone who seeks to divide or alienate. Our party is fractured, and the GOP in Colorado is more than just a vehicle for political posturing. Our party requires a leader that that understands the nuances of the challenges we face, but more importantly, the vision to move us forward. I believe wholeheartedly I am that leader.
What are your specific qualifications and experience that apply to this position?
I bring real, on-the-ground experience as a public servant – a firefighter, volunteer fire chief, EMT, safety officer and first responder for the last 23 years. My boots have been on the ground for years as a contributor. My work for Trump Victory 2020 in New Mexico gave me the opportunity to lead local and state volunteers, building coalitions and putting together the kind of grassroots operation that wins elections. My front-line experience with the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) for the American Conservative Union (ACU), and for Lance Wallnau’s nationwide events as a volunteer coordinator, has sharpened my skills in organizing and motivating volunteers for campaigns and candidates.
My opponent’s approach is about fiery disruptions rather than steady, consistent leadership, I thrive on building relationships and making peace with all of the party. I’ve seen firsthand what works at the local level, and I have excelled at organizing campaigns and organizations. My experience is what we need right now – practical, grounded and all about executing to win.
What differentiates you from those you are running against?
The difference is clear: I am a unifier, not a divider. My opponents have built careers on antagonizing fellow Republicans and grandstanding, while I’ve spent years quietly building the kind of relationships that matter—bridging divides within our own party and engaging with voters across the state. I’m focused on winning elections—not scoring points with small, isolated groups. We need a chair who can bring people together, not someone who’s more interested in fighting their own personal battles.
What is your plan if elected?
My plan is to bring accountability, focus, and unity to the party. We will reenergize the grassroots, strengthen our outreach, and improve our voter engagement. The party must start listening to what voters want—not just echoing talking points that fit a narrow purity test that leaves the majority out of the conversation. We’ll invest in smart data strategies, micro-targeting voters, and making sure our candidates are equipped with the resources they need.
My first priority will be to build a robust infrastructure and a statewide network that can deliver wins in 2026 and beyond. This isn’t about flashy promises; it’s about solid, sustainable work that pays off in the long run, like engaging and captivating young conservatives by meeting them where they are—on social media and through fun grassroots events. We’ll offer leadership opportunities, mentorship, and a voice on issues they care about, like economic freedom and personal liberties. Our goal will be to foster a sense of community through networking, recognition programs, and modern, positive messaging that empowers their involvement.
Do you have a team selected, and if so, can you say who?
Yes, I’m working with some of the sharpest minds in our party—individuals who know how to get things done. I’m building a team of skilled talented professionals who are aligned in purpose and ready to move this party forward. I won’t name names just yet, but I can tell you we’ve already secured a team that will help execute on the vision we need to win with all the endorsements to date.
What will be your approach to raising money?
Raising money will be a top priority, and I’m committed to doing it in a way that provides transparency and long-term growth. The last administration attacked some of our largest donors, and alienated them, so naturally they stopped funding the party. The RNC even stopped contributing because of the tens of thousands in donor money spent by the party leadership on mailers attacking other Republican candidates. Congressman Gabe Evans had to rely on the Arizona GOP for his campaign’s financial support.
Our party’s responsibility is to help our nominees win their elections, not sabotage them. I will work to rebuild trust with our largest donors and establish a wide network of supporters from small-dollar donors, PCP’s, District Captains, and members of Conservative and Republican groups statewide. I will create a sustainable system that will power our efforts for years to come.
How will you approach the media?
We will engage with the media consistently and with a clear message. Unlike the opponents, who thrive on creating media spectacles and divisive narratives, my focus will be on clear, direct communication that tells our story authentically and respectfully. We can use the Trump strategy: personal stories of real people who have been impacted by the Democrats destructive policies including crime, drugs, and children influenced by out of touch ideologies.
We will be transparent and proactive with our media strategy, addressing issues head-on and not shying away from tough questions. But I’ll also focus on the positive Republican alternative— showing Colorado voters how we can make their lives better with solid common-sense ideas that align with their needs and values and not just focusing on conflict or sensationalism.
The last two election cycles CO Republican turnout has been about 70% overall, how will you drive those 250,000 or so voters to vote in 2026?
We’ll partner with one of the best at this, Turning Point, to leverage their low-propensity Republican turnout model and data. It worked brilliantly in 2024 in the swing states and it will work here.
We’ll make sure Republican voters feel confident in our elections by securing our drop boxes, holding the USPS accountable for undeliverable ballots, making sure our voter rolls are clean and working with our County Clerks and Commissioners to do all they can to audit various processes and systems at the county level.
It also starts with understanding the concerns of every voter, not just the most vocal. We’ll focus on outreach—starting with listening at the county level. We’ll connect with voters in a way that respects their intelligence and meets them where they are. Unlike others, whose approach seems to be more about riling up the base with divisive rhetoric, We will focus on policy solutions that actually matter to people, like affordable living, economics, and public safety.
Finally, we need to actively work to register new Republican voters at places like churches, public events like county fairs, farmer’s markets, gun shows and summer art festivals. The key to getting voters to the polls is engagement, not alienation.
The Unaffiliated voters break 60% D, 40% R. To win statewide again we need 300,000- 400,000 of the UD’s to come our way, what will be your approach?
We must engage them early, in the primary. Right-leaning Unaffiliateds vote the Republican primary ballot and then they’re nearly certain to vote Republican in the general election because they’ve already chosen a Republican candidate. We need to get their attention before the primary with outreach via phone calls, social media and other means.
Also, we know from President Trump’s campaign that the extreme radical views of the Democrat party are leading many who have never voted Republican to come to our side. They are appalled at the permissiveness and cultural sickness that have become a Democrat hallmark. By focusing on the cross-over issues that concern nearly all voters no matter what their politics: inflation and the economy, crime, drugs, children’s safety from sexual and gender indoctrination, and the rights of parents to direct their offspring’s education – we can earn new voters from every faction and every age group as Trump has done.
What is your specific stance on voting to opt out of the primary (75% of central committee) and the lawsuit to repeal Proposition 108?
I am strongly against Proposition 108, which allowed for Unaffiliated voters to vote in our Republican and Democrat primaries. It is unconstitutional and has fundamentally weakened the Republican Party in Colorado. Proposition 108 undermines the core principle that private political parties should be able to choose their own candidates. That’s why I support the efforts of the Clarmont Institute that is heading up the current lawsuit to overturn this.
As for opting out of the state-run primary system, which others running for Chair support and will lead a vote on if elected, I believe this is a separate issue from Proposition 108 and should not be conflated. We need to be clear about the stakes. If we opt out and do not run our primary through the state system, no Republican or Republican-leaning Unaffiliated voter will receive a Republican primary ballot, including our fighting military men and women who would not be able to attend the assemblies – and of course wouldn’t receive a ballot overseas. That is not fair, it’s an insult to those putting their lives at risk to protect us.
Chairman Williams has stated that 40% of Unaffiliated voters reliably vote Republican in the general election. Since Unaffiliateds make up nearly 48% of the electorate, opting out would exclude approximately 750,000 potential Republican from directly voting in the primary. Unaffiliateds would only get the Democrat ballot instead of a choice between our party and theirs, wouldn’t the Democrats love that free advertising!
We rely on Republican-leaning Unaffiliateds to win, and need to bring over another 300,000 or so Democrat-leaning Unaffiliateds to win statewide again. Our approach should be to get every Republican registered voter, every Unaffiliated Republican leaning voter to turnout, and then persuade with good messaging and a clear vision the 300,000 or so Unaffiliated Democrat voters we need to win by inviting them into our party, not pushing them away.
If you support opting out, what is your specific plan to run assemblies to select candidates, and pay for it?
I do not support the party to opt out of the state primary system.