News

September 23, 2008

TRUTH TEST: Examining anti-Markey ad

BY ADAM SCHRAGER
adam.schrager@9news.com

Throughout the 2008 election season, 9NEWS is committed to holding those who take out political commercials on our station accountable for what they say.

Read More... (video on the upper right-hand side)

No evidence of contract interference by Markey, federal agency says

BY ROBERT MOORE
RobertMoore@coloradoan.com

There's no evidence that Betsy Markey or her family's company did anything improper in obtaining government contracts, the federal government's leading acquisition agency said Tuesday.

At the Coloradoan's request, the General Services Administration reviewed contracts awarded to Syscom Services between 2005 and 2007, while Markey worked as an aide to Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo. The Coloradoan asked if there were any records showing that Markey or any other member of Salazar's staff intervened on behalf of Syscom in the contract award process.

"We have no records showing any intervention," said Michael Collins, a spokesman for the GSA, the agency that provides acquisition services to other federal agencies. Syscom got many of its contracts from being on the GSA schedule of vendors.

When asked for signs of impropriety by Syscom in the bidding process, Collins said, "Based upon current review of available records, there is no information that suggests improprieties involving bids by Syscom Systems, Inc."

Markey is the Democratic candidate for Congress in Northern Colorado's 4th Congressional District. She is challenging three-term Republican incumbent Marilyn Musgrave, who has aired two campaign commercials alleging that Markey used her position as an aide to Salazar to boost federal contracts for Syscom.

“I am happy to see that the General Services Administration, under a Republican administration, confirmed that Syscom Services has always operated under the highest ethical standards. One would think Marilyn Musgrave would end her desperate smear campaign now that her lies have been exposed,” Markey said when told of the GSA statements.

Musgrave campaign manager Jason Thielman said federal regulations bar government contracting agents from knowingly doing business with a company substantially owned by a federal employee.

"It is improper for a government employee to have a company that gets government contracts," he said. "That is spelled out clear as day."

Markey was in her dual role as majority owner of Syscom and an aide to Salazar for a little more than nine months in 2005, and during that time Syscom got about $500,000 in contracts, according to federal records.

Salazar sought guidance from the Senate Ethics Committee in September 2005, and was told about three weeks later that Markey's ownership of Syscom didn't violate Senate rules. Markey said she wanted to err on the side of caution and turned over her majority ownership to her husband shortly after the ethics ruling.

Musgrave has offered no evidence that Markey influenced contracts other than to point out that Syscom's contracts increased in the three years she served on Salazar's staff when compared to the three previous years.

"It is not unusual for a small business within the schedule program to have an increased number of customers and to have growth in sales during the contract period," Collins said.

August 26, 2008
Markey leads Musgrave, new poll shows
The Coloradoan, Fort Collins, CO

Democratic challenger Betsy Markey has opened a lead over three-term incumbent Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, according to a new poll released today.

Markey leads Musgrave 50-43, built largely on a huge advantage with independent voters, according to the poll by Survey USA for Roll Call, a respected periodical that covers congressional issues.
see the full article

July 30, 2008
An American By Choice
Fort Collins Now, Fort Collins, CO

FORT COLLINS—Ben Marter was living in France when Congress talked about naming those greasy potato side dishes “freedom fries.”

He was studying abroad during his senior year at the University of Colorado, and though the language and the food were different from what he was used to in college, there were plenty of similarities—he was in “the French equivalent of Boulder,” as he put it.
see the full article

July 3, 2008
Markey tackles energy policies
The Coloradoan, Fort Collins, CO
LONGMONT - With the full power of the sun shining down on her, Betsy Markey on Wednesday called for increased cooperation in getting the country through its energy crisis.

May 21, 2008
Challenger's poll predicts tough race for Musgrave
The Denver Post
"Surprising" results from an early campaign poll and recent Democratic victories in GOP-leaning districts nationwide have bolstered the confidence of the latest challenger to Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave.

May 9, 2008
EMILY's List Announces Endorsement of Betsy Markey in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District

For More Information Ramona Oliver roliver@emilyslist.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- EMILY’s List, one of the nation’s largest political action committees and financial resources for women running for elective office, today announced its endorsement of Betsy Markey in Colorado’s 4th congressional district.

“Betsy Markey has the integrity, common sense and compassion needed in Washington,” said Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY’s List. “Her experiences as a small business owner have imbued her with the real-life knowledge, tenacity and independence that make her the right person to represent Colorado’s 4th district.”

After earning a degree in political science from University of Florida and a Master’s degree in public administration from American University, Markey dedicated her life to public service. Markey spent years working for the U.S. State Department overseeing their original department of computer security, traveling to places like East and West Berlin at the height of the Cold War and seeing the effects of terrorism first hand. She will use this experience in Congress to help chart a new course on foreign policy and focus more time and attention to securing our homeland.

Markey is also an accomplished businesswoman who managed the budgets and employees of a successful high-tech business and a local Fort Collins coffee shop that she founded. Most recently, Markey served as the Northern Colorado regional director for Senator Ken Salazar.

Betsy Markey will be a strong advocate for families and businesses. She has a deep understanding of this district, its people, and its priorities. Markey’s outstanding character has earned her a broad array of supporters, such as Governor Bill Ritter Jr., United States Senator Ken Salazar, United States Representatives Diana DeGette, Mark Udall, John Salazar and Ed Perlmutter, State Senator Bob Bacon, State Representative John Kefalas, former State Senators Peggy Reeves and Stan Matsunaka, and numerous local community leaders.

“I am grateful to have the support of thousands of EMILY’s List members,” said Markey. “As the daughter of a Republican mother and a Democratic father, I know that nothing will get done in government if we don’t put aside partisanship and work to find common ground on issues that matter to everyday Americans like health care and the economy. When I am elected to Congress, I will represent a new kind of politics in Washington, one that reflects the values and pragmatism of Coloradoans.”

With more than 100,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has raised over $240 million to elect 70 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 13 to the U.S. Senate, and eight governors. Over the course of 23 years, EMILY’s List has helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to federal office, state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices.
visit Emily's List web site here

Friday May 2, 2008
Whatever Happened to Betsy Markey?
Fort Collins Now
By Rebecca Boyle, (Bio) rboyle@fortcollinsnow.com
Fort Collins’ Democratic hopeful says it’s part of her strategy to stay out of the limelight ... for now at least.

Thursday April 24, 2008
Markey Builds Trust
The Coloradoan - Fort Collins,CO,USA
Marilyn Musgrave's not supporting alternative energy sources. The headline was: "Some surprised by Musgrave's vote on energy tax credits 
see the full article

Thursday April 17, 2008
J-A Interview: Betsy Markey
Journal-Advocate - Sterling,CO,USA
By Jenni Grubbs

STERLING — Ever since he went to Washington, D.C., people in Colorado and across the nation have been calling Sen. Ken Salazar a “different type of Democrat.”

Now, his former aide, Betsy Markey, wants to follow in her former boss’s footsteps as a “different type of Democrat” in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Markey is running against incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave for the 4th Congressional District, and she wants the people of the district to get to know her. Thursday April 17...
see the full article

Thursday April 17,  2008
David Thielen Blog
My lunch with Betsy
Ok, I do tend to err on the optimistic side - but I was right on Jim Webb and Jon Tester. I think Betsy is going to win CD-4, and win by 3 points or more. She's WOW. 

Sunday March 23, 2008
State Hopes Riding On New Energy Economy: Musgrave vote puzzles some
BY JASON KOSENA
JasonKosena@coloradoan.com
(As it appears in the Colorodoan March 23, 2008)

Colorado is banking on it.

Everyone from Gov. Bill Ritter and state legislators to university researchers and city officials is dreaming about Colorado striking gold through the new energy economy.  That is why some people were surprised when Rep. Marilyn Musgrave voted against federal legislation extending renewable energy tax credits that passed the House last month...
see the full article

Monday March 10th, -  9 am -10 am
Betsy appeared on  ePluribus Radio with Political Nexus
"Don't Hijack My Thread" is an interactive discussion on today's hot political topics with a progressive slant. Join "rapid fire" hosts Adam Lambert and David Atkins with special guest Betsy Markey as they take your calls and opinions! ...
 To hear the interview click here

January 28, 2008
Markey Responds to President State of the Union
Fort Collins, CO – Betsy Markey, Democratic candidate for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, released the following response to the President’s State of the Union address:  “While I was encouraged to hear the President speak about reforming the appropriations process to cut back on wasteful spending and pork-laden earmarks...

December 24, 2007
The Fort Morgan Times
Health, water amoung issues for Markey
Health insurance, water, the economy and Iraq are the major issues Democrat candidate for U.S. Congress Betsy Markey is hearing about.  She came to Fort Morgan Friday morning to meet with some agricultural and business leaders to ask them what they are concerned about...

December 11, 2007
Governor Ritter Backs Betsy Markey
Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. today threw his support behind Betsy Markey, a Larimer County businesswoman and candidate for Congress in Colorado’s Fourth District.

November 6, 2007
Fort Morgan Times - Betsy Markey among speakers at weekend MC Democrat dinner
"Betsy Markey, Democratic candidate for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, told a crowd of Morgan County Democrats that she is running for office because she has a passion for public policy and for Northeast Colorado..." 

October 18, 2007
Betsy Markey's Statement on Congresswoman Musgrave's Vote Against SCHIP
"Many of us in the district have called on Marilyn Musgrave to put aside narrow ideology and do the right thing for Colorado's children..."

September 15, 2007
Betsy Markey to appear on Open Range Radio
Tune in at 2:30 PM Saturday September 15 on NewsTalk 1310 KFKA to another provacative edition of Open Range Radio...

September 7, 2007
The Washington Post names 4th District "Top Ten" race
The Washington Post today named Colorado 4th District one of the "Top Ten" races in the country and recognized Betsy Markey as a serious challenger...

August 24, 2007
The New Face in the Race
By this point in the summer Betsy Markey has visited her fair share of county festivals.  On a road trip with her sister, a school teacher...

August 21, 2007
United States Senator Ken Salazar to Endorse Betsy Markey for Congress
Senator throws support behind Markey in Fourth District bid for Congress
When she entered the race, markey announced the endorsements of State Senator Bob Bacon, State Representatiove John Kafalas, former State Senators Paggy Reves and Stan Matsunaka... 

August 3, 2007
Democratic candidate Betsy Markey to embark on Eastern Plains tour
Candidate to visit 10 counties across the Eastern Plains, from Saturday, August 4th through Tuesday, August 7th.  Markey will meet with voters and Democratic Party officials and activists...

August 2, 2007
Betsy comments on Musgrave's vote against Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act... 
"By voting with George W. Bush and the tobacco companies over Colorado uninsured kids and Medicare..."

July 28, 2007
Musgrave votes against the Farm Bill - Betsy comments
"I strongly disagree with the Congresswoman's vote againsy our farmers, and will work..."

June 2, 2007
The Greeley Tribune
Markey hopes to bring her experience to the 4th district
As a small-business owner, Betsy Markey knows plenty about running a payroll and the high costs of health insurance. As a former U.S. State Department fellow…

June 2, 2007
The Greeley Tribune
Democrats get ready for race against Musgrave in District 4 Greeley City Council woman supporting Markey…  "This is a reflection of my confidence in Betsy and the work we've done together over the years," Shaddock said. "We believe that the 4th Congressional District is a very competitive district. Given the right candidates at the right time, we can be successful here."…

June 1, 2007
Successful Northern Colorado Business Woman Announces Campaign for 4th CD
Fort Collins, CO – Betsy Markey, a successful business woman, mother and public servant, announced her campaign for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District…

 One of the most important tasks in congressional campaigns is definition.  Candidates—new ones especially—need to tell voters who they are before their opponents do, and drum up as much early support as possible. Many go about this by having camera-friendly events that showcase their ability to, say, flip pancakes, hold babies or wave at crowds.There’s another, old-fashioned way, too—to go underground, from the grassroots, and work behind the scenes. Call it the inverted-pyramid style of politics...
see the full article