The Democratic Party of Colorado condemned Democratic Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday for pardoning Tina Peters, a former Mesa County clerk, Gold Star mother and Trump ally.
Peters was granted clemency Friday for having breached an election voting machine within her county after questioning the results of the 2020 election, a decision that had led her to face nine years in prison, the Daily Caller previously reported. (RELATED: Trump’s Biggest Endorsement May Trigger Painful Primary Memories For Republicans)
However, Polis commuted the sentence of Peters, whose Navy SEAL son died in service, following pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies, such as Republican Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert.
“Tina will be released next month and return to her family and community. God bless Tina and all who fought tirelessly for her release,” Boebert said.
SEDALIA, CO – JUNE 28: Mesa County Clerk and Colorado Republican candidate for secretary of state Tina Peters reacts to early election returns during a primary night watch party at the Wide Open Saloon on June 28, 2022 in Sedalia, Colorado. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)
The Colorado Democratic Party’s statement doubled down on a Friday statement from the party’s committee chair, Shad Murib, who said that Peters “was convicted by a jury of her peers and sentenced by a judge who said she would do it all over again if she could. The Republican district attorney who prosecuted her called any sentence reduction ‘a gross injustice.’”
Adding to the original statement, the party said this was not justice, as the sentence was only reduced under pressure from Trump, adding that the move sets a dangerous precedent and “sends a message to future bad actors that election tampering has consequences, unless you’re friends with the president.”
The party added that Polis’ decision to grant clemency harmed the party’s credibility and efforts to defend election integrity before formally condemning and censuring the governor.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to “the rejection of election denialism and disinformation in all forms,” while recognizing the Democrats who protested the clemency.
It determined that “until further action,” Polis is barred from participating as an honored guest, speaker or recognized representative of the Colorado Democratic Party.