STAFF REPORT

ALAMOSA — Valley residents turned out yesterday at the Alamosa Family Medical Center to hear Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Mark Udall speak about his campaign and issue positions.

Udall, current U.S. Representative, launched his campaign with a four-day tour across Colorado. The “Standing Up for Colorado” tour began Tuesday in Colorado Springs and will hit sixteen cities, ending Thursday in Leadville.

Udall has his eyes on the Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Wayne Allard. His opponent will be former congressman Bob Schaffer. Udall was officially nominated by his party at the Democratic Colorado convention on May 17.

The Alamosa Family Medical Center hosted the campaign event. “We are open to any candidate who would like to come,” said President and CEO of Valley Wide Health Marguerite Salazar. She said that she believes it is important for everyone to participate in the political process.

Marguerite Salazar welcomed the Valley residents to the event. “We’re so happy and proud to have [Udall] here,” she said.

State Senator Gail Schwartz spoke next, introducing Udall. “He has always been someone who has stood up for Colorado,” Schwartz said. She listed renewable energy, water and energy as some of the crucial issues Udall has already worked on.

Congressman John Salazar gave a personal account of Udall. “I want you to know the person person, not the politician person,” he said. Salazar spoke about working with Udall in Washington and several of the issues they tackled together. He said that Udall had been a mentor to him. “He took me under his arm and showed me the ropes in Washington,” he said. Salazar ended by asserting that there was no one he would endorse more for U.S. Senate. “Except for my brother,” he said.

Udall took the podium and greeted residents. “You measure a society by how it treats its less fortunate,” he said, referring to the San Luis Valley.

Udall began discussing his positions on important issues by denouncing current U.S. energy policy. “Being addicted to oil has weakened our military and our economy,” he said. Udall said that he has always been “green,” even before it became an important and admired quality. He said that he would help advance renewable energy and other environmental policy improvements. “Green is really the new red, white and blue,” he said.

The U.S. Senate candidate also emphasized health care issues, providing a college education for all who want it and tax breaks for working class citizens. He also spoke about ending the war in Iraq. “I opposed the war from the beginning,” he said.

Udall ended his speech by asserting his western values and highlighting his efforts to work across party lines.

Democrats were not the only ones who showed up to see Udall. Norman Roberts, a registered republican, said that he came because Udall reaches across the aisle. “He’s for the people and the important issues,” he said.