Colorado’s unaffiliated voters have a crucial role to play in determining the future of our country.
Because unaffiliated voters received ballots for both the Republican and the Democratic primary, they have an important duty on Tuesday, March 5, to choose which party’s primary ballot to cast.
Unaffiliated voters hold a powerful position in our state. They have the unique option of voting for a sensible and courageous alternative to Donald Trump. Not bound by party affiliations, they’ll have significant influence in shaping the future of Colorado and the nation.
Nikki Haley stands out as a strong presidential choice for both Colorado Republican and unaffiliated voters. A seasoned politician with a wealth of experience, Haley is a compelling option for unaffiliated voters seeking a candidate. She is a strong choice for Coloradans who value civility, pragmatic leadership, bipartisan solutions and a fresh perspective on our challenges.
Haley visited Colorado on Tuesday afternoon. She has trailed Trump in the early primary states, but big victories on Super Tuesday could give her a viable route to the nomination. Colorado’s delegates are awarded proportionally so she not only needs to win but win big in Colorado to secure more of the state’s 37 delegates.
Unaffiliated voters can sway this primary. They now make up almost 50% of registered Colorado voters, compared to 27% for Democrats and 24% for Republicans. These figures have changed greatly in 10 years; back then, independent voters made up only 35% of active, registered Colorado voters, while Republicans were at 33% and Democrats 32%. Since 2018, nearly 2 million unaffiliated votes have been cast in our state’s primary elections.
Haley is the daughter of immigrants and the first female Indian-American governor in U.S. history. As the former governor of South Carolina and a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has demonstrated her ability to lead effectively and she has the foreign policy background to lead effectively.
As governor, Haley worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to address issues such as education, infrastructure and health care. She implemented policies that led to economic growth, job creation and increased opportunity for the people of South Carolina. She balanced budgets, cut taxes and reduced regulatory burdens on businesses, all while maintaining a commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability.
During her tenure as a U.S. ambassador, Haley advocated for human rights, stood up to oppressive regimes and defended U.S. sovereignty on the world stage.
Her strong leadership and commitment to American values earned her respect from allies and adversaries alike, and she proved to be a forceful advocate for U.S. interests and principles.
Haley’s commitment to both conservative and progressive values is matched by her dedication to public service, showing her ability to work across party lines to achieve meaningful results. Throughout her career, Haley has demonstrated a willingness to listen to diverse perspectives, engage in constructive dialogue, and seek out solutions that benefit all voters, regardless of political affiliation.
In a political climate characterized by division and partisanship, Haley stands out as a unifying and principled leader who can bring people together. She’s committed to public service and is an ideal choice for unaffiliated voters seeking a candidate who can deliver real results and make a positive impact on our state.
She is the best option for Colorado’s unaffiliated voters, who are often drawn to candidates who offer innovative solutions for the most pressing problems of both Americans and Coloradans.
Her pragmatic approach to tackling climate change, focusing on innovation and technology rather than punitive regulations, mirrors Colorado’s forward-thinking attitude towards environmental issues. Haley is committed to upholding the Constitution and defending the rule of law. She’s dedicated to preserving the values that have made America a beacon of freedom and opportunity.
As of this writing, we’re all waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump to remain as a presidential candidate in Colorado. Regardless, unaffiliated voters should strongly consider Haley.
Her candidacy offers a compelling blend of experienced leadership, bipartisan appeal and a vision for a prosperous and united America. I see her as the candidate best suited to lead in these unprecedented times.
I think Haley is the best Republican primary candidate to bring meaningful change and a positive impact to Colorado.
I challenge all registered Colorado unaffiliated voters to choose Nikki Haley. She might not win the nomination, but Colorado can still send a strong message of not supporting Trump.
Jim Martin, former CU Regent At-Large, can be reached at jimmartinesq@gmail.com
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