Meet Colorado GOP delegates

Compiled by Lynn Bartels

Published June 16, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Dick Wadhams

Sharon Johnson

Lilly Nuñez

Marty Neilson

Michele Austin

Kimberly Peticolas

Mark Hillman

Gabriel Schwartz

Geneva Taylor

Abe Villarreal

Guy Short

Perry Buck

Bob Balink

John Suthers

Carol Brown

Sue Sharkey

Jack Taylor

Ken Chlouber

Colorado Republicans -- fired up and hoping to win this November - will send 46 delegates and 43 alternates to their national convention in Minnesota in September.

The state party chair and national committeemen and committeewomen are delegates automatically. The others were elected at state and congressional district conventions.

The Rocky is running snapshots of the delegates on Mondays. Today's profiles:

Automatic delegates

* Dick Wadhams

Age: 52

Occupation: Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party and campaign manager for U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer

City: Littleton

Family: Wife, Susan, died in 2001; two grown children, Khristie Barker and Gregory Farrell, and five grandchildren

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Born and raised in Las Animas, but lived in Washington, D.C., at various times working for elected officials

Of all Colorado's elected leaders, living or dead, whom do you most admire: Former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong rejuvenated and defined Colorado Republicans in the aftermath of Watergate. I was one of thousands of people inspired by him during his 12 years in the Senate. I learned a great deal while having the privilege to work for him when I was young.

First time as national delegate? Yes, but I've been to three other conventions. My first was in 1976 in Kansas City, Mo., which was the last Republican convention truly in doubt before the voting between President Ford and former Gov. Ronald Reagan. It was an electric atmosphere that I'll never forget. Also went to New Orleans in 1988 when we nominated Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush to succeed President Reagan, and then New York in 2004 when I went with South Dakota Senate candidate John Thune, who was treated like a rock star as the "guy who might beat Tom Daschle" - which he did.

Dream ticket: I wouldn't speculate on that.

First political experience: I worked at the Bent County Republican headquarters when I was in high school. I ran now state Sen. Ken Kester's county commission campaign when I was 19, and I was the county Republican chair at age 19.

First presidential vote: Ford in 1976

* Mark Hillman

Age: 41

Occupation: Farmer, former state senator, former acting state treasurer

City: Burlington

Family: Wife, Heidi. We're expecting a son in August.

Pets: Two quarter horses, Tiny and Sparky, and a golden retriever, Shiloh

Years in Colorado: 41

Most admire: Former U.S. Sens. Hank Brown and Bill Armstrong

First time as national delegate? I was a delegate in 2004.

Dream ticket: John McCain and Condoleezza Rice

First political experience: When I was 9, my father, Douglas Hillman, campaigned for county commissioner, and I did a parade with him.

First presidential vote: George H.W. Bush in '88. I was a couple of months too young to vote for Reagan in '84.

* Lilly Nunez

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired from the federal government, was a Bush and Reagan appointee

City: Roxborough Park

Family: Husband, Joe, who also is a delegate; four grown children: John, Danny, Teresa and Lili; and 10 grandchildren

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: We moved here in 1978 from Washington, D.C.

Most admire: Bill Armstrong. I worked for the senator for 51/2 years.

First time as national delegate? No. I was a delegate in '04 because of my position as national committeewoman. But both Joe and I have gone to every convention since 1984.

Dream ticket: McCain and Mitt Romney

First political experience: I worked on Capitol Hill for a Texas congressman from 1974 to 1978. When we moved to Colorado in 1978, I went right to work for Bill Armstrong, who had just been elected.

First presidential vote: John F. Kennedy. I think I voted for Kennedy because I'm Catholic.

1st District

* Michele Austin

Age: 52

Occupation: Real estate manager and owner of Red Map Strategies, a Republican-only campaign finance and consulting company

City: Englewood

Family: Two sons, Justin Miller, 20, attending University of San Diego, and Trey Miller, 18, who just graduated from Cherry Creek High School

Pets: Two dogs, Ruger, a German shorthaired pointer and Ginger, a Shih Tzu

Years in Colorado: Native

Most admire: Rep. Joe Stengel, of Littleton, and Sen. Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs. I worked for both of them at the Capitol.

How did you campaign? I sent a letter and resume to every single delegate and alternate in the 1st District and stood outside the convention giving business cards attached to candy stars to everyone. I think both my campaign and I were fortunate and honored to be named to the McCain slate.

Dream ticket: McCain-Romney

First political experience: My ex-husband was the precinct leader and he talked me into being the co-precinct leader. I went downhill from there because now I am a political junkie!

First presidential vote: Gerald Ford

* Sharon Johnson

Age: 68

Occupation: Does some contract work for Rocky Mountain Family Council, but mostly retired.

City: Denver, although we have a Littleton mailing address

Family: My husband, Ralph, and I have four boys between us. We have eight grandkids,six great-grandkids.

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: I was raised in Oklahoma and Texas and moved to Colorado in 1968. Have lived here since, except for nine years in D.C. in the '90s.

Most admire: Bill Armstrong and Tom Tancredo

How did you campaign? I have been active in the Denver County Republicans since 1998. I've served as a precinct committeeperson for 10 years and a district captain for several of those years. I think Denver County rewards hard work. Also, I was endorsed by several groups, including the Christian Coalition as well as Colorado for Family Values.

Dream ticket: I admire (Louisiana Gov.) Bobby Jindal, but feel that whomever McCain selects, I would like to see them work together as a team to advance our security and economy over the next eight years.

First political experience: I ran for clerk and recorder in Gilpin County in the '80s. Walking precincts involved a four-wheel drive vehicle and mountain-climbing gear.

First presidential vote: Barry Goldwater in 1964. I remember the race vividly.

* Gabriel Schwartz

Age: 28

Occupation: Attorney, president of the law offices of Sandomire & Schwartz, a five-attorney firm

City: Denver

Family: Single

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: Lived in Colorado most of my life

Most admire: I respect Mike Coffman, the secretary of state, as he has served our party for many years and has served in the military.

How did you campaign? I believe I was elected based upon my experience and dedication to our party.

Dream ticket: McCain-Romney

First political experience: Luncheons with the Colorado Republican Business Coalition at the old Petroleum Club in the Qwest tower when I was a student at the University of Colorado.

First presidential vote: George W. Bush in 2000

* Alternates: Harry Arkin, of Denver; David Sprecace, 46, of Englewood; Joy Wood, 63, of Denver

2nd District

* Marty Neilson

Age: 66

Occupation: Financial executive, Realtor

City: Lyons

Family: Husband, Ron, three grown children, seven grandchildren

Pets: One cat

Years in Colorado: Moved here when I was 17 to attend the University of Denver

Most admire: Bob Schaffer

How did you campaign? Placed fliers on delegate chairs, called delegates, e-mailed 10 county chairs and my 2nd District e-mail list, personally asked delegates for their vote prior to the assembly. I think I got picked because of my personal contact with delegates and political endorsements.

Dream ticket: McCain-Condoleezza Rice

First political experience: Campaigning for my father in 1952 when he ran for Illinois state representative

First presidential vote: Goldwater in 1964

* Kimberly Peticolas

Age: 22

Occupation: Just graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in American studies and a minor in ceramic sculptures. I'm attending New York University's publishing institute this summer.

City: Broomfield

Family: Single

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: I moved here six years ago from Seattle.

Most admire: Former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell and state Sen. Shawn Mitchell. I admire their policies, their integrity and character.

How did you campaign? I sent out postcards to about half the delegation - I couldn't afford to send them to everyone. My mother, Janice, also was a candidate and she really campaigned for me. And I've been a member of the Broomfield Republican Women's Club since I was 18, and the women's club and the Broomfield County Republicans just worked really hard for me.

Dream ticket: McCain-Romney

First political experience: I started talking politics with my dad when I was about 6 years old. I saw a debate on TV between the senior Bush and Clinton. I told my parents I thought they should vote for Bush. I don't know. I had a feeling about Clinton. It turns out I was right.

First presidential vote: George W. Bush in 2004

* Guy Short

Age: 39

Occupation: Chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave

City: Erie

Family: Wife, Stephanie; children, Collin, 10, Makinzie, 6

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: 17 - I was born and raised in California

Most admire: Former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong

How did you campaign? Made lots of phone calls and spent time getting to know many of the delegates.

Dream ticket: John Thune and J.C Watts. You said dream ticket.

First political experience: I cried when my parents left in 1981 to go to the Reagan inauguration.

First presidential vote: 1988. I voted for Jack Kemp in the primary, and George Bush the senior in November.

* Alternates: LeMoine Dowd, of Longmont; Tim Gilmore, 58, of Westminster; Patrick Johnson, 66, of Broomfield

3rd District

* Carole Brown

Age: 62

Occupation: I'm supposed to be retired. I was a registered nurse, but I own rentals and a laundromat so I'm always busy.

City: Glenwood Springs

Family: My husband, Brinkley B. Brown III, died in November; a daughter, Dendy Heisel; and identical twin grandsons

Pets: No, they died on me, too.

Years in Colorado: I'm third-generation. My maternal grandparents moved here from Germany to cattle ranch in the early 1900s.

Most admire: Tom Tancredo, Hank Brown and Scott McInnis

How did you campaign? I have been very active in politics, as was my husband. I served two terms as chair of the Garfield County Republican Party, and I'm serving my fourth term as vice chair. I served as president of the Colorado Federation of Republican Women. People know I've worked hard. And I declared strongly for John McCain.

Dream ticket: McCain-Tancredo

First political experience: Going to a Garfield County Republican Women's Club with my mother.

First presidential vote: I can't remember.

* Geneva Taylor

Age: None of your business

Occupation: A retired banker

City: Steamboat Springs

Family: Husband, Jack, a state senator who also is a delegate; daughter, Vicki Bushner; and two grandchildren

Pets: Four cats

Years in Colorado: I've lived here most of my life. When I was younger, we lived on a dairy farm in the Colorado Springs area before we moved about 40 miles south of Steamboat Springs.

Most admire: Well, my husband. He's done a tremendous job for the state.

How did you campaign? We didn't do much campaigning. People know us. We've been around a long time. And I've always been active in the Republican central committee here.

Dream ticket: I don't know about vice president, but we've got to have McCain because the Democrats aren't anything to dream about.

First political experience: When I was old enough I went to the courthouse and registered to vote. My mother and I were talking one day and she said, 'Honey, did you register to vote?' I said, 'I registered as a Democrat.' She said, 'You what?' I knew my dad was a Democrat but it turns out my mother was a Republican. In our house, we never talked about politics. My mother said, 'You're not a Democrat.' So the next time I was in Steamboat Springs I changed my voter registration. My mother was right.

First presidential vote: Richard Nixon in 1960

* Jack Taylor

Age: 72

Occupation: State senator, stepping down at the end of this year; retired businessman

City: Steamboat Springs

Family: See Geneva above

Pets: See Geneva above

Years in Colorado: I moved here in 1969 after working all over, Seattle, New Orleans, the Middle East.

Most admire: Former Gov. John Vanderhoof

How did you campaign? There wasn't a lot of campaigning. Through the years you meet a lot of people. I'm the senior Western Slope lawmaker, and people recognize that.

Dream ticket: McCain will pick somebody who will certainly balance out the ticket.

First political experience: Growing up on a farm in Iowa, my parents were strong Republicans and I had an uncle who was a Democrat. He farmed about five miles from us. I can remember sitting under this huge cottonwood tree at our place and listening to my dad and Uncle Ed's arguments. Dad didn't like Truman. Uncle Ed did.

First presidential vote: I was three weeks shy of being able to vote in the 1956 election between Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson. My first vote was for Nixon in 1960.

Alternates: Wendell Coats, 67, of Durango; Ralph Walchle, 62, of Ridgway; Mark Young, 44, of Montrose

4th District

* Perry Buck

Age: 46

Occupation: President/CEO of Northern Colorado Event Planning

City: Greeley

Family: Husband, Ken Buck, Weld County district attorney; son, Cody, 20, who is at West Point; and daughter, Kaitlin, 17

Pets: German shepherd named Patton

Years in Colorado: Third-generation Coloradan

Most admire: U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard

How did you campaign? I personally asked people. I believe I was selected because I supported Sen. John McCain

Dream ticket: McCain-Romney

First political experience: In 1996 I chaired the Weld County Republican breakfast.

First presidential vote: Ronald Reagan in 1980

* Sue Sharkey

Age: 52

Occupation: Homemaker/retired

City: Windsor

Family: Husband, David Jordan; sons Derrek and Aaron; daughter Jenna

Pets: Dog named Joe

Years in Colorado: Moved here approximately 37 years ago

Most admire: Former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer and U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave

How did you campaign? I distributed fliers, made T-shirts for friends to wear with a logo of a shark biting a donkey. I believe I won because of my true conservative values and strong stand on right to life.

Dream ticket: McCain-Romney

First political experience: Volunteered in Republican activities for the past 10 years, including current president of the Larimer County Republican Women's Group.

First presidential vote: Gerald Ford

* Abe Villarreal

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired letter carrier, now works as a disc jockey

City: Greeley

Family: My wife, Roselee, and I have been married for 50 years. We have four grown children, Richard, Sherry, Margo and Isaac; and one grandchild.

Pets: None

Years in Colorado: 30 years - moved here from Montana

Most admire: Wayne Allard

How did you campaign? I was an aide to Sen. Allard. I have been active with the Republican Party for a long time, and I worked for many, many candidates.

Dream ticket: McCain-Romney

First political experience: I served as a district captain in Greeley.

First presidential vote: Eisenhower

* Alternates: Anita Cornwell, 54, of Fort Morgan; Kevin Lundberg, 55, of Berthoud; Travis Whitsitt, 22, of Fort Collins

5th District

* Bob Balink

Age: 65

Occupation: El Paso County clerk and recorder

City: Colorado Springs

Family: Adele, married for 35 years; grown daughter, Kathryn

Pets: Golden retriever\/yellow Lab named Daisy

Years in Colorado: Moved to Colorado in January 1995 from Dallas to become executive director of an Olympic sport at the U.S. Olympic Training Center

Most admire: All who have strength of conviction and do not say things just to get elected or re-elected.

How did you campaign? I didn't really campaign. I'm the 5th District chairman.

Dream ticket: I fully support the party's presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain, and am hopeful he will select former Gov. Mitt Romney as his running mate.

First political experience: Aside from high school where I was elected to several positions, I worked my first political campaign/election in the fall of 1960 - not 1860!

First presidential vote: 1964

* Ken Chlouber

Age: 69

Occupation: Founder and chairman of the Leadville Trail 100

City: Leadville

Family: Wife, Pat; son, Cole

Pets: Black Lab named Johnny Cash

Years in Colorado: Pat and I came here in 1968 as soon as we got out of college.

Most admire: Democrat Carl Miller. We served together on the Lake County Commission, worked underground together at Climax Mine and were in the legislature together. Carl's a man of his word. He's got more integrity than anyone I've met.

How did you campaign? I didn't campaign at all. Most people know me. I have been either the speaker or the auctioneer at a lot of Lincoln Day dinners.

Dream ticket: I don't think who is picked as vice president means as much for the Republican ticket as it does for the Democratic ticket. The experience issue will win it or lose it for McCain.

First political experience: Elected county commissioner in 1978. I was the first Republican to win a seat in more than 30 years. I didn't know Republicans weren't supposed to win!

First presidential vote: I can't remember. Back then I didn't care. I may have well voted for Kennedy.

* John Suthers

Age: 56

Occupation: Colorado attorney general

City: Colorado Springs

Family: Janet and I have been married for 32 years and have two grown daughters, Alison and Kate.

Pets: The deer, fox, raccoons and various other wildlife that live in close proximity to our house

Years in Colorado: Native

Most admire: I'm applying a "must be out of office for 10 years" requirement. Bill Armstrong and Hank Brown are two public figures I greatly admire. They have been successful at everything they have done in the public and private sector. They weren't in politics to "be somebody" but rather to "do something" for the citizens of Colorado. They both gladly term-limited themselves.

How did you campaign? I suspect I won because of my charm - and the fact I've paid my "dues" in the Republican Party.

Dream ticket: Having been in Mitt Romney's campaign, I'm intrigued by a McCain-Romney ticket.

First political experience: I became a precinct committeeman around 1978.

First presidential vote: 1972

* Alternates: Robert McCombs, 65, of Colorado Springs; Merilee O'Neal, 58, of Leadville; Summer Vanderbilt, 20, of Colorado Springs

• June 16, 2008

  5:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  gratefulweb writes:

  The GOP is definitely NOT the lookers in the political process, huh? Obviously they're even more clueless regarding politics.

• June 16, 2008

  7:15 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  danirobi writes:

  Well the DNC delegates will be voting for a Marxist....

• June 16, 2008

  9:50 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Beverley writes:

  As a lifelong Republican, it breaks my heart that we continue to appoint the same types. Stop with the right to life stuff already! This means nothing to voters who are paying $5.00 a gallon for gas and can barely afford health care. The reason why McCain beat Romney and Huckabee is that he appeared to be a moderate. If Romney becomes his running mate, then he will stop looking like a moderate. Yet many of our delegates want this ticket. Republicans used to stand for fiscal responsibility and smaller (out of our business) government. We are neither or these things, and people like these delegates will make us irrelevant. this year.

• June 16, 2008

  11:16 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  danirobi writes:

  I totally agree with you Beverley! I'm a life long Republican who just recently left the administration. I personally think the Republican need to start going for the jigular. Keep pushing for drilling in this country and getting stupid earmarks out of legislation. If Obama is elected, just watch for higher taxes, bigger gov't, and a decreased military.

• June 16, 2008

  12:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LingLingfor_prez writes:

  What is this? Match.com or something?

• June 16, 2008

  12:24 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverDan writes:

  gratefulweb

  The GOP is definitely NOT the lookers in the political process, huh? Obviously they're even more clueless regarding politics.

  Could not said it any better. Outstanding!

• June 16, 2008

  2:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Beverley writes:

  danirobi:

  I wonder how many of us Republicans are out there? I mean, if we could somehow organize, maybe we could do something to fix this party, instead of, I predict, losing control of the Presidency, both houses of Congress, as well as the offices of Governors of most States and their General Assemblies. If somehow we could get the the status quo (not that Mr. Wadhams knows how to do this) to stop talking about gay marriage and prayer, perhaps we could become appealing to people with real issues, like the cost of living in this country. The crazy clerics in Colorado Springs who have control of the party now would not be happy, but without a change, we're doomed anyway.

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