Colorado’s 7th Congressional District is evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters.
But its congressman, Democrat Ed Perlmutter, doesn’t reflect that ideological diversity.
Since he was first elected in 2006, Perlmutter has been a solid vote for the Democratic majority in Congress, and has supported the Obama administration’s over-reaching agenda. He voted for the cap-and-trade bill that would drive up energy costs as well as health care reform that will drive up costs, the so-called “card check” bill and the nearly $1 trillion stimulus.
His opponent, Republican Ryan Frazier, is a conservative whose votes may not end up reflecting the district’s blend of ideological diversity either, but we think it’s time for new blood in Congress.
We’ve long been advocates for split government, believing that America is better served when one party doesn’t control Washington. Electing Frazier would help restore some of that balance.
At 33, Frazier is young, but he’s knowledgeable. His grasp of the key issues facing the country has grown considerably since he first surfaced on the political scene.
He’s matured into a leadership role after having served on the Aurora City Council as an at-large member for seven years, and we think he’d be a more than competent congressman and quite possibly a rising star in Washington.
His personal story is compelling. Raised in Wilmington, N.C., his dad left his family when he was 7 and his grandfather was murdered when Frazier was 12. Still, he graduated from college and spent five years in the U.S. Navy, where he was assigned to the National Security Agency.
His business background, however, is somewhat murky and gives us pause. Besides his part-time council gig, he is a business partner in what his website calls a small information technology business, Takara Systems, that delivers Web-based solutions to clients of various sizes throughout the world. But for weeks, the phone number on its website was disconnected, and although calls now go to voice mail, no one returns messages, according to a Denver Post story.
Still, the economy and jobs are the top issues, and we think Frazier has the better positions.
“The times we’re in require new voices,” he said.
He says businesses are sitting on more than a trillion dollars because of economic uncertainty. He thinks lowering the corporate income tax rate and extending Bush’s tax cuts could end that uncertainty and boost hiring.
Frazier also has thoughtful ideas on cutting spending, including reductions in military outlays.
We realize he is likely to be a reliable Republican vote in Congress but we’re hopeful he would surprise voters occasionally. On the Aurora council, he voted to extend benefits to same-sex partners and showed some independence when he authored a letter critical of Republican Gov. Bill Owens regarding Homeland Security spending.
When he talks about illegal immigration, he’s not a fire-breather, admitting that it would be “inhumane to round people up.”
To be sure, Perlmutter, a financial policy expert, has been a hard-working, able congressman and he knows the district better than most. If voters want to push forward with Obama’s agenda, he’s your guy.
But if you’re looking for balance, as we are, send Frazier to Washington.
