Alma Garcia, Zee Ferrufino, state Rep. Angela Williams and Congressman Ed Perlmutter at the Colorado Democratic Partys annual Jefferson Jackson dinner Saturday. Perlmutter was named Democrat of the Year. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)
Congressman Ed Perlmutter won Democrat of the Year Saturday night in a ceremony that had party members loving him even more.
First of all, the Jefferson County Democrat insisted the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner end by 9:30 p.m. In some years, the keynote speech hadnt even happened by then. And then Perlmutter kept his own speech short to ensure the Colorado Democratic Party could end on time.
Throughout the night, there were loud cheers from Democrats assembled at the downtown Denver Marriott whenever Perlmutters name was mentioned.
I want Democrats to win. When we win we change and shape the future, Permutter said when he accepted the honor. And because we believe in freedom and in opportunity and in justice for all, especially for the hard-working people in the middle, we make that future a lot better than the other guys.
Perlmutter did his trademark cartwheel across the stage when he finished.
Congressman Ed Perlmutter and his former spokeswoman, Leslie Oliver. (Brian Elms/Facebook)
Perlmutter, an attorney and Jeffco native, was one of only three Democrats nationally to win an open state Senate race in the 1984 GOP wave year. Former state Senate President Stan Matsunaka was present to watch his colleague accept his award Saturday.
In 2006, Perlmutter won his first race for Congress and has frustrated Republicans ever since.
Congressman Jared Polis of Boulder, who was at a family wedding, honored Perlmutter via video. Hes a team player, Polis said. More than you ever know, he has contributed to the success of Democrats up and down the ballot . Ed has always been there.
Link:
Democrats love them some Ed Perlmutter, a Jefferson County icon