Clearing up robocall confusion

Posted: Jul 29, 2010 12:59 PM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Jul 29, 2010 6:34 PM

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes announced Wednesday that he was asking the state Attorney General's Office to investigate a false robocall campaign. The automated called made to registered Republicans allegedly said that Maes had dropped out of the race.

NewsFirst5 has learned that the confusion may have stemmed from an automated call using local District Attorney Dan May. In the call, he says he's not running for governor and supports McInnis.

May's robocall concludes, "I am District Attorney Dan May. And while I'm not running for governor, I am a strong supporter of Scott and ask you to join me in voting for Scott McInnis as our next Colorado governor."

Here is Maes' statement: "Coloradans are sick and tired of business-as-usual politicians and these business-as-usual cheap shots," said Maes. "My campaign has been focused on a positive, conservative message from the beginning, and dirty tricks in the 11th hour are a clear sign that my message is resonating with voters."

The robocalls in question, which claim to be from "Maes campaign headquarters," contain no information suggesting their true source or funding. The Maes campaign was alerted to the calls by several supporters late last night. The campaign has consulted with the Secretary of State's Office and private legal counsel, and has alerted the State Attorney General due to the illegal and multi-jurisdictional nature of the calls.

"I'm proud to notify the citizens of this state that I'm in this race for the long haul, and I have every intention of becoming Colorado's next Governor," concluded Maes. "We've worked tremendously hard to earn our position as the Republican frontrunner, and we didn't need dishonest robocalls to get there."