The number of registered county voters has increased by more than 70,000 in the past 10 years, and Democrats have seen the largest increase. But while Democrats have the potential to sweep the county ticket at the Nov. 3 election, opponents on both sides agree that voters should look at the candidates and the issues before looking at the candidates' political party affiliation. It's very different than when you're down at the Legislature. It seems to me you look at the individual candidate first. Treasurer Sandy Hume, the sole Republican in elected county government, said one-party government is bad for taxpayers and accountability, but he also stressed that voters should look beyond party once they reach the voting booth.
Parties are just the vessel of the competition.
Both Mendez and Hume face recognizable challengers in their respective races. Mendez is running against Republican Tom Davidson, mayor of Louisville since 1991 and a city councilmember there since 1989. Hume faces a challenge from Democrat Homer Page, a former county commissioner and Boulder city councilmember. In the county commissioner race, Mendez is seeking election to her second four-year term. Davidson is making his first bid for the post.