Site search
sponsored by
News
GRAND JUNCTION — The 3rd Congressional District envelops 54,100 square miles, 29 counties, all of the Western Slope and much of southern Colorado.
For the two state board of education candidates running in this district — Grand Junction Republican Marcia Neal and Pueblo Democrat Jill Brake — it’s not only hard to cover the distance, it’s hard to get anyone to notice.
“We’re the largest congressional district in the country. The 3rd Congressional District is bigger than some states,” Brake said. “How do you get that word out to 54,000 miles?”
Brake said she’s had friends assume she was running for county commissioner or mistakenly think she was running in a local race.
Raising money for their campaigns has been a challenge, both candidates said. Brake had $3,360.90 as of Sept. 10. Neal had $209.97.
Neal has been in debt at times in her campaign. She asked Mesa County Republicans at their luncheon Friday for help.
“I need money, I need support,” she said at the luncheon.
The low-key vibe of the race isn’t helping, said Neal.
“I’ve really had to struggle to raise money,” Neal said.
Brake wonders why the race isn’t getting more attention. The volunteer position would make Neal or Brake and six others responsible for rulemaking hearings, forming curriculum standards and defining terms like school, workforce and post-secondary readiness for the entire state.
“This should be the most important race — if we don’t have a strong education system, what else do we have?” Brake said.
Reach Emily Anderson at eanderson@gjfreepress.com.
For the two state board of education candidates running in this district — Grand Junction Republican Marcia Neal and Pueblo Democrat Jill Brake — it’s not only hard to cover the distance, it’s hard to get anyone to notice.
“We’re the largest congressional district in the country. The 3rd Congressional District is bigger than some states,” Brake said. “How do you get that word out to 54,000 miles?”
Brake said she’s had friends assume she was running for county commissioner or mistakenly think she was running in a local race.
Raising money for their campaigns has been a challenge, both candidates said. Brake had $3,360.90 as of Sept. 10. Neal had $209.97.
Neal has been in debt at times in her campaign. She asked Mesa County Republicans at their luncheon Friday for help.
“I need money, I need support,” she said at the luncheon.
The low-key vibe of the race isn’t helping, said Neal.
“I’ve really had to struggle to raise money,” Neal said.
Brake wonders why the race isn’t getting more attention. The volunteer position would make Neal or Brake and six others responsible for rulemaking hearings, forming curriculum standards and defining terms like school, workforce and post-secondary readiness for the entire state.
“This should be the most important race — if we don’t have a strong education system, what else do we have?” Brake said.
Reach Emily Anderson at eanderson@gjfreepress.com.
