Politicians with household names played up Arapahoe County as an area of dire electoral importance for Republicans at a state and even national level at an event to nominate candidates for county and local offices for the June 26 primary election.

“We gotta do a lot of work in November 2018,” said U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, who came on stage March 24 at the Republican Arapahoe County Assembly to an ovation with a few dozen people standing up in the crowd. “We cannot in Colorado have 20 years of Democratic rule in the governor's mansion.”

The crowd of more than 500 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds heard speeches from several Republican candidates in races for governor, University of Colorado regent at large, state treasurer and U.S. Congressional District 6, which includes parts of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties. The incumbent in that district, Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, spoke to the crowd.

“This is a congressional district that Hillary Clinton carried,” Coffman said, adding, “The path for Nancy Pelosi (to gain control) runs through the 6th Congressional District.”

In an interview before his speech, Coffman said he doesn't know that his Republican primary challenger, Roger Edwards, has a chance in the general election, given the makeup of the district. He responded to Edwards' criticism of him moving "to the left."

“I represent the district, and it's a very diverse district,” Coffman said. “I reach out to all the communities in this district. I'm right of center, but I'm not far right.”

In another speech, George Brauchler, district attorney for the 18th Judicial District — which comprises Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties — talked up the importance of getting out the Republican vote.

The 2018 elections are “a fight for the future of the soul of our state,” said Brauchler, a candidate for state attorney general. Republicans must push to make sure “we don't become the California (Democrats) want to be when they grow up.”

For the county offices, the five elected non-commissioner positions saw the incumbents gain nomination uncontested. Clerk and Recorder Matt Crane, Assessor Marc Scott, Coroner Kelly Lear, Treasurer Sue Sandstrom and Sheriff David Walcher were all voted onto the primary ballot.