Friday, November 02, 2007

Badda Boom, Badda Bing; Democrats Front Felon To Challenge Maristoca

As reported at ToTheRight

We know the seat is hopeless for Democrats, but couldn’t they find someone without a criminal record to run in this race?

From the Fort Collins Coloradoan:

Democratic state House challenger Crusificio “Cross” Gambino pleaded guilty to class 5 felony theft charges last year stemming from check fraud and was sentenced to three years probation, according to court records.

Gambino, 30, who Tuesday announced his intention to run for House District 51 - which covers north Loveland and the southern edge of Fort Collins - could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Phone numbers for Gambino obtained by Coloradoan public records searches were not active, and knocks on the door of his Fort Collins-based marketing firm, Gambino and Associates, were not answered.

Gambino would face Republican incumbent Rep. Don Marostica in 2008 if he runs for the seat.

According to court records, Gambino pleaded guilty to class 5 felony theft charges Jan. 12, 2006, and was sentenced to three years probation March 3 the same year.

Gambino can still run for the office with a felony conviction, a spokesman for the state Secretary of State’s Office said Wednesday.

“If you are a felon serving a prison sentence or on parole, you cannot vote,” spokesman Richard Coolidge said. “As it relates to a candidate for an office, if you’re on probation, there is nothing that would (preclude) you from running.”

Gambino said Tuesday he has been a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party. A check of voter registration records showed Gambino as a registered unaffiliated voter in Weld County.

Calls to Larimer County Democratic Chairman Adam Bowen and a late afternoon call to Marostica were not answered.

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