In 2008, Hal Bidlack ran for Congress in Colorado’s Congressional District 5, where he lived in Colorado Springs. After redistricting in 2020, the district was redefined to only include El Paso County, excluding other counties that were once part of the district. Despite the district’s stunning beauty, Bidlack focused his campaign efforts on El Paso County, where the majority of the votes were located.
Reflecting on his own candidacy, Bidlack recalled how former Governor Bill Ritter acknowledged that Bidlack’s moderate stance and military background might have been more successful in a different part of Colorado, but due to the district’s strong Republican presence, winning the Election was a considerable challenge.
In a recent commentary, Bidlack referred to a Colorado Politics article discussing the history of carpetbagging in politics, referring to individuals who move to a new political district and run for office shortly after. Notable examples include Hillary Clinton, who moved to New York and ran for U.S. Senate, addressing the issue head-on by using a literal carpetbag prop during her campaign.
The practice of carpetbagging is not new, as historical examples such as James Shields and John F. Kennedy demonstrate. In the current election cycle, Representative Lauren Boebert’s move to a different district has raised eyebrows and prompted criticism. However, Bidlack emphasizes that ultimately, the voters will decide the outcome of the elections, noting that some politicians, including former State Rep. Ron Hanks and U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, have either moved or considered moving to different districts in pursuit of a better chance of winning.
The issue of carpetbagging raises questions about the ethical responsibility of incumbents to represent the districts that elected them, rather than prioritizing their re-election prospects. Bidlack’s commentary acknowledges that while the concept of carpetbagging may have implications for the democratic process, the voters’ decisions in the primaries and the general election will ultimately determine the outcomes.
In conclusion, Bidlack provides historical context and a thoughtful analysis of the implications of carpetbagging in politics, engaging readers in a discussion about the ethical considerations and democratic implications of this practice.
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