{"id":12948,"date":"2026-03-06T03:31:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T10:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/montezuma-republicans-gather-for-precinct-caucuses\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T21:33:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:33:57","slug":"montezuma-republicans-gather-for-precinct-caucuses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/montezuma-republicans-gather-for-precinct-caucuses\/","title":{"rendered":"Montezuma Republicans gather for precinct caucuses"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mathew
Mathew Molzahn casts his vote during the Montezuma County Republican precinct caucuses Thursday evening at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. (Aaron Lewis\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Neighbors gathered in libraries, churches and meeting halls, signing in with party volunteers and settling into seats as discussions started.<\/p>\n

The evening marked the first step in the party\u2019s process for nominating candidates for the 2026 election cycles as registered Republicans gathered for 12 precinct caucuses across Montezuma County.<\/p>\n

Voters met at six locations, including the Cortez Chamber of Commerce, Lewis\u2011Arriola Fire Department, Mesa Trails Cowboy Church in Mancos and Dolores Public Library. The meetings allowed party members to organize precinct leadership and select delegates who will represent their voice at the county Republican assembly on March 21.<\/p>\n

\"Organizer
Organizer Patti French gathers Republican caucus attendees by precinct as they prepare to tally votes during the Montezuma County Republican precinct caucuses Thursday evening at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. (Aaron Lewis\/Special to the Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Each precinct started by verifying voter IDs, then selected secretaries to record minutes and counters to tally votes.<\/p>\n

The primary tasks elected 145 delegates advancing to the county assembly and passed or failed proposed resolutions related to local issues.<\/p>\n

The format reflects one of the oldest traditions in American politics, going back more than a century to neighborhood\u2011style gatherings where party members meet informally to discuss issues and physically cast votes. The legislature adopted caucuses in 1910 to limit the power of party bosses. The system shifted to presidential primaries in 1992 but was restored in 2002.<\/p>\n

While ballot primaries are more common today, the caucus system remains in many states, most notably Iowa, and continues to be organized locally.<\/p>\n

Officers of the Montezuma County Republican Central Committee met Thursday afternoon with precinct leaders, reviewing the long list of rules, procedures and documentation required to conduct and certify the caucuses.<\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce, Precincts 6-10<\/div>\n

It was quiet until voices began to echo off the Chamber of Commerce building walls where about 50 people attended. Organizers moved around, coordinating votes for five of eight Cortez precincts.<\/p>\n

After the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, Shane Prentice \u2013 a Mancos pastor running for the commissioner nomination \u2013 addressed the crowd before heading to other locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would advocate to use some funds to get our sheriff\u2019s department the training and equipment they need to have an advantage,\u201d Prentice said.<\/p>\n

\"Republican
Republican voters gather in precinct groups to discuss and cast ballots during the Montezuma County Republican precinct caucuses Thursday evening at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. (Aaron Lewis\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Republican
Republican county commissioner candidate Shane Prentice addresses attendees Thursday evening at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. (Aaron Lewis\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

He noted he is not running because he is unhappy with the current administration, but he believes some change is needed. Representatives for commissioner candidate Diane Spratlen\u2011Fox and sheriff candidate Tyson Cox also read statements.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe precinct caucus is the most local unit,\u201d said Tom Seymour, who spoke next, explaining the purpose of the gathering.<\/p>\n

Seymour encouraged attendees to consider volunteering as precinct chairs next year, a role that involves greater party participation, including attending monthly meetings and other events.<\/p>\n

\u201cLisa here just volunteered for chair of Precinct 6. I wish I had a mic,\u201d organizer Patti Smith said as attendees in the back asked her to speak louder. \u201cThank you for stepping up, guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it came time to vote, participants broke into circles by precinct. They cast ballots by placing tiny paper slips into plastic bags used to collect the votes.<\/p>\n

\"Garet
Garet Talley participates in the Montezuma County Republican precinct caucuses Thursday evening at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. (Aaron Lewis\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Tom
Tom Seymour addresses attendees about the purpose of Thursday night\u2019s caucuses. (Aaron Lewis\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cWe have a run\u2011off in Precinct 7!\u201d a vote counter called out from the side of the room.<\/p>\n

Later, Lenetta Shull, one of two candidates for Montezuma County clerk and recorder, addressed the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeadership is about transparency. The clerk\u2019s office is not about politics \u2013 it\u2019s about service,\u201d Shull said.<\/p>\n

Shull, who currently serves as chair of the Montezuma County Republican Central Committee, has taken a leave of absence while she runs for office.<\/p>\n

Afterward, precinct members continued voting to select delegates representing Precincts 6 through 10.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Precinct
Precinct 3 co-chair Mike Lynch ran the proceedings for Precinct 3\u2019s caucus. The main vote was for the 15 delegates to go to the upcoming county assembly. (Bailey Duran\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lewis-Arriola, Precinct 3<\/p><\/div>\n

At the start of Precinct 3\u2019s caucus at the Lewis\u2011Arriola Fire Department, nearly 40 people, from elementary school students on up, gathered, catching up with old friends and discussing local, regional and national issues.<\/p>\n

Mike Lynch, co\u2011chair for Precinct 3, along with Linda Becker, kicked off the caucus with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, asking God to guide electors and to preserve the government he inspired 250 years ago.<\/p>\n

The precinct then prepared to elect co\u2011chairs for the next two years, along with delegates and alternates for the county assembly.<\/p>\n

During pauses while votes were tallied or other lapses in discussion, letters from candidates for offices such as Colorado House of Representatives and county commissioner were read, including letters and messages from Rep. Larry Don Suckla, David Raubeson, Diana Fox\u2011Spratlen and Rep. Jeff Hurd.<\/p>\n

Undersheriff Tyson Cox, who is running uncontested for sheriff, and Coroner George Deavers, who is seeking reelection, spoke to the electors in person. Lenetta Shull also made an appearance, sharing why she should be elected Montezuma County clerk and recorder.<\/p>\n

Becker, Jaime Cox and Linda Lynch volunteered to be the credentialing committee, and Deavers, Charlie Tate and Delta Suckla volunteered to tally votes. Julie Suckla served as the evening\u2019s secretary.<\/p>\n

Thirty\u2011four electors were identified, and 18 people self\u2011nominated to serve as delegates. Because Lynch and Becker automatically serve as delegates through their co\u2011chair positions, 13 delegate and alternate spots were up for election as the first order of business.<\/p>\n

The nominees for the delegate plurality vote were Jaime Cox, John Hargraves, Tyson Cox, Robert Englehart, Vicki Englehart, Scott Anderson, Gayle Randol, Mary Bowman, Michele Bell, Cindy Denton, Dani Traweek, Robert Myers, Delta Suckla, Julie Suckla, Rodney Cox, Ronda Cox, Linda Deavers and Kadan Sharp.<\/p>\n

The electors chose Delta Suckla (32 votes), Julie Suckla (31), Jaime Cox (26), Linda Deavers (26), Hargraves (25), Robert Englehart (24), Rodney Cox (23), Tyson Cox (23), Ronda Cox (21), Sharp (21), Anderson (21), Traweek (21) and Randol (20).<\/p>\n

The remaining electors \u2013 Vicki Englehart, Bowman, Bell, Denton and Myers \u2013 will serve as alternates.<\/p>\n

Lynch said he will not run again for co\u2011chair for the precinct, but Becker will stay. Denton was the only individual to self\u2011nominate and won by acclamation. She and Becker will serve as Precinct 3\u2019s co\u2011chairs for the next two years.<\/p>\n

The next order of business was nominations for the state assembly. Denton and Delta Suckla were chosen by acclamation, as they were the only ones who self\u2011nominated. The alternate is Julie Suckla.<\/p>\n

Congressional District 3 had three delegate spots for the assembly. Three slots were open and three signed up, winning by acclamation. These delegates are Denton, Delta Suckla and Julie Suckla. No alternates signed up.<\/p>\n

For the House District 58 assembly, three people signed up for two spots, but Denton volunteered to move to alternate. The delegates are Delta and Julie Suckla.<\/p>\n

The only resolution presented would have urged and encouraged the Republican Central Committee to remove the executive board over a bylaw violation, but a majority of electors voted it down, and it will not go to the county assembly.<\/p>\n

\"Pastor
Pastor Shane Prentice takes his usual spot at the front of Mesa Trails Cowboy Church to ask elected delegates to support him in his run for Montezuma County Commissioner. (Ann Marie Vanderveen\/The Journal)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Mancos, Precincts 11 and 12<\/div>\n

It was a quiet and subdued affair at Mesa Trails Cowboy Church, the home turf of Montezuma County commissioner candidate and pastor Shane Prentice, who arrived before 8 p.m. to ask for support from elected delegates. Attendees listened with rapt attention and let out chuckles as Prentice made his appeal to about 30 Republicans.<\/p>\n

\u201cGovernment outta run more like a church and less like a business,\u201d said Prentice, who lamented the underfunded sheriff\u2019s department, the languishing racetrack at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds and the four\u2011day workweek of county offices.<\/p>\n

The voters from Precincts 11 and 12, which stretch from Lost Canyon to Mesa Verde, split between the rows of pews to select their delegates for the county assembly. Ball caps and leather belts dominated as a select few donned patriotic emblems and MAGA merchandise. Republicans filled out the names of their desired delegates on slips of paper collected in a cowboy hat and a woven basket, true to the \u201cCowboy Church\u201d namesake. The analog affair resulted in eight delegates elected for Precinct 11 and 11 for Precinct 12.<\/p>\n

Opposition to the state of Colorado and lawmakers in Denver emerged as a theme among conservatives at the event. One of the more outspoken participants was Montezuma County clerk and recorder candidate David Raubeson, who sported a bright red \u201cMake American Great Again\u201d cap.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the biggest challenge we face is that the Democrats have engineered the elections to their favor,\u201d Raubeson said in an interview with The Journal,<\/em> citing false claims that Dominion\u2019s voting machines harmed the integrity of the 2020 election.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to go back to one day voting with an ID in\u2011person,\u201d he added, listing election integrity and immigration as top priorities of local party members.<\/p>\n

Precinct 11 voters unanimously passed a resolution calling for the Colorado GOP to condemn and reject party members supporting any gun restrictions. The resolution, titled \u201cThe Purge of Anti\u2011Gun Republicans,\u201d received applause.<\/p>\n

But Republicans did not come 100% united, according to Raubeson.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t always agree with everyone in the room but we can talk it out,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re still all Republicans and even more important than that we\u2019re all Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Election integrity is an issue that doesn\u2019t unite all Republicans, according to Steve Wilderson, the chair for Precinct 12.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepublicans don\u2019t think alike as much as Democrats seem to,\u201d he said, adding later with a chuckle, \u201cDon\u2019t be too hard on us in the paper if a fist fight breaks out.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, true to his ideals of Republican unity, Raubeson threw his support behind Brett Likes for county commissioner in a speech, saying Likes, as his former son\u2011in\u2011law, didn\u2019t always get along with his daughter but was the optimal candidate.<\/p>\n

The former mayor of Mancos, Queenie Barz, presided over Precinct 11 and reluctantly reclaimed her role as precinct chair, as no one in Precinct 11 wished to take her place. She read letters from county candidates who were unable to attend but nonetheless asked for delegate support in the county assembly. Already a delegate for the county assembly, Barz was also selected as a delegate for the state assembly.<\/p>\n

Raubeson read a resolution for Precinct 12 calling for the Montezuma County Republican Central Committee to support removing all four officers of the MCRCC. His resolution, supported by him and one other voter, did not pass.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake<\/div>\n

Candidates attended caucuses and gave brief remarks.<\/p>\n

Six Republicans are seeking the party\u2019s nomination for Montezuma County commissioner. Candidates must receive at least 30% at the county Republican assembly to advance to the primary ballot. Candidates may also qualify by collecting petition signatures or by pursuing a hybrid petition\u2011and\u2011assembly route allowed under election law.<\/p>\n

Republican candidates running for county commissioner include Shane Prentice, Diane Spratlen\u2011Fox, Gerald Whited, Brett Likes, Bonnie Anderson and Rodney Cox.<\/p>\n

Several other county offices will also appear on the Republican ballot in 2026. Candidates for Montezuma County clerk and recorder include Lenetta Shull and David Raubeson. Other uncontested offices include coroner, treasurer and sheriff.<\/p>\n

\n

Thursday, March 5, 2026 \u2013 Republican Precinct Caucus locations:<\/p>\n

Precinct 1 <\/strong>Pleasant View Fire Department15235 Road CC, Pleasant View<\/p>\n

Precinct 2<\/strong>Dolores Public Library1002 Railroad Ave., Dolores<\/p>\n

Precinct 3<\/strong>Lewis-Arriola Fire Department21145 Road S, Cortez<\/p>\n

Precinct 4<\/strong>Lighthouse Baptist Church11502 Colorado 145, Cortez<\/p>\n

Precinct 5<\/strong>Lighthouse Baptist Church<\/p>\n

Precinct 6<\/strong>Cortez Chamber of Commerce20 W. Main St., Cortez<\/p>\n

Precinct 7<\/strong>Cortez Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

Precinct 8<\/strong>Cortez Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

Precinct 9<\/strong>Cortez Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

Precinct 10<\/strong>Cortez Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

Precinct 11<\/strong>Mesa Trails Cowboy Church281 W. Menefee St., Mancos<\/p>\n

Precinct 12<\/strong>Mesa Trails Cowboy Church<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This article was updated March 6 to correct the spelling of David Raubeson.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Journal goes to three sites as neighbors gather in libraries, churches and meeting halls<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[28,29],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-12948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-headlines","tag-newsletter"],"acf":[],"author_name":"dh_admin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12948"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18738,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12948\/revisions\/18738"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12948"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=12948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}