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Group apologizes for mailings

Christian coalition to probe attack on GOP candidate

Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 5, 2006 at midnight

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The National Christian Coalition has apologized to a Republican congressional candidate in Colorado Springs over an attack mailing that accused him of being part of the "radical homosexual agenda."

The mailing was prepared by the group's state affiliate, the Christian Coalition of Colorado.

National president Roberta Combs on Thursday called Jeff Crank, one of seven candidates running for the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District.

"She apologized for the despicable mailings," Crank's campaign manager, Jim Banks, said Friday.

In addition, the national group promised an investigation into the mailing, according to Banks and a Colorado Springs TV station.

Mark Hotaling, president of the Colorado chapter, could not be reached for comment.

It's the second embarrassment for the state chapter.

Hotaling on Friday sent a letter of apology to Rep. Dale Hall, R-Greeley, who is running for the state Senate, for a mailing sent to voters there.

It accuses Hall of voting for a 2003 bill that forced hospitals to dispense the morning-after pill to rape victims.

The bill that Hall and a number of other Republicans voted for encouraged hospitals to provide information on the drug.

Hall doesn't view the letter as an apology because he said the mailing questioned his commitment against abortion. Hall bills himself as a anti-abortion Catholic.

In the congressional race, the Christian Coalition of Colorado has endorsed state Sen. Doug Lamborn. Lamborn's campaign manager is Hotaling's brother, Jon.

The state coalition sent attack mailings against two 5th Congressional District candidates, Crank and Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera, accusing them both of being part of the homosexual agenda.

Rivera's spokeswoman, Theresa Sauer, said she's not sure why her candidate didn't get a call from the national president.

Banks said Crank was grateful for the call.

"Jeff has always said he appreciates the work the Christian Coalition does at the national level," Banks said.

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