On the stump

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 11, 2006

[CORRECTION: Kyle Hybl is one of the candidates who received the endorsement of the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition. Correction ran 3/ 14/2006.]

Lambert town Lambert town hall

State House District 14 candidate Kent Lambert will host a town hall meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. today at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd.

Lambert, a Republican, hopes to replace state Rep. Dave Schultheis, who is seeking a state Senate seat. Republican Colin Mullaney and Democrat Karen Teja also are running.

Right to Life sponsors forum

The first issue-specific debate of the 5th Congressional District race is scheduled for March 18, when Colorado Springs Right to Life sponsors a candidate forum.

Four Republican candidates and a representative for Democrat Jay Fawcett are scheduled to attend the event in the Sheldon Jackson room of the First Presbyterian Church. A breakfast will precede the forum at 10:30 a.m.

The event is open to the public, but the cost of the breakfast is $6. Reservations must be made today by calling 630-1999.

Gun group's picks

After a forum Thursday, the

Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition endorsed House District 19 candidate Marsha Looper and Bill Hybl, who is running for University of Colorado regent in the 5th Congressional District. Both are Republicans.

Congressional backings

Two congressional candidates -- Fawcett and Republican John Anderson -- rolled out their first endorsements this week.

Anderson, a former El Paso County sheriff, announced backing from Chaffee County Sheriff Tim Walker, Pueblo County Sheriff Dan Corsentino and former Teller County Sheriff Frank Fenn.

Fans of Fawcett, a former Air Force Academy professor, include U.S. Sen. and 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry; U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado; former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia; Colorado U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette, Mark Udall and John Salazar; U.S. Rep. Mike Honda of California, vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee; and state Rep. Mike Merrifield of Manitou Springs.

Teller sheriff challenged

An investigator with the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office will seek to unseat incumbent Teller County Sheriff Kevin Dougherty in the upcoming election.

Greg Melton is the son of a four-term sheriff in Owen County, Ind., where Melton worked for 19 years as a dispatcher, deputy and investigator.

He moved to Teller County in 2002.

Dougherty, first elected in 2002 in an unopposed race, is seeking re-election.

Got political news? Contact 636-0184 or ed.sealover@gazette.com.