Passion Defeats Money in Colorado Recall Elections

The breakdown of contributions in the Colorado recall proves passion can overcome money in elections–even when the money is $3 million versus $540,000.

According to the numbers highlighted in the Denver Post, that is exactly what the contribution ratio was–six to one. Gun control advocates like NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent six dollars for every one dollar given by passionate, grassroots 2nd Amendment citizen-activists.

Around the state of Colorado, those in support of senators Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) and John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) gave $1.5 million, while outside the state those who supported the gun control agenda gave $1.5 million more.

Here is a partial breakdown of some top anti-recall donors:

Taxpayers for Responsible Democracy – $620,000

Michael Bloomberg – $350,000

DLCC Unincorporated Individual Acct – $300,000

Eli Broad – $250,000

By contrast, the pro-recall efforts received only $540,000 total–a third of which came from grassroots citizen-activists within Colorado and the other portion provided by groups like the NRA supporting the citizen activists.

Here is a partial breakdown of the pro-recall donations:

NRA – $360,000

I Am Created Equal – $56,800

Citizens Protecting Our Colorado Constitution – $29,800

Victor Head, Pueblo resident – $5,800

Diana Harris, Colorado Springs resident – $4,500

The financial numbers were clearly skewed in favor of those fighting the recall, but in the end the lesson was clear–money cannot beat passion. 

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.