El Salvador RPCV John Kefalas draws fans back to politics
Kefalas draws fans back to politics
House candidate says he's happy people are voting
By SARA REED
SaraReed@coloradoan.com
With less than 72 hours until the primary elections, John Kefalas supporters gathered for one last rally Saturday.
More than 60 people filled the Ben Delatour Room at the Fort Collins library -- the same room from which Kefalas announced his candidacy for the House District 52 seat six months ago.
The candidate's refusal, as an act of protest, to pay federal incomes taxes for periods in the 1980s and '90s and his continued nonpayment of federal telephone excise tax were touched on, but no one chastised Kefalas for his stance.
"People seem to think lawmakers can't break the law," said rally attendee Bruce Hall. "But the man who led the insurgents, the violent insurgents, who went around killing Englishmen (in the 18th century), went on to become the first President of the United States."
Hall also used other examples, such as the Boston Tea Party and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to illustrate his point.
Kefalas is running against Fort Collins City Councilman Bill Bertschy in Tuesday's primary. The winner of the Democratic race will face incumbent Republican Rep. Bob McCluskey in the Nov. 2 general election.
Bertschy, in an interview with the Coloradoan last week, questioned whether Kefalas' failure to pay taxes undermined his credibility as a would-be state legislator.
Kefalas said he is "cautiously optimistic" about his chances at winning Tuesday's primary but said that, no matter the outcome, the campaign has already been won.
"We've already won because we were successful in bringing people together, engaging people in the political process."
Kefalas said he considers getting people out to vote, even if it is not for him, a victory.
"Our laws, the public policy we enact, is a reflection of our values," he said. "If more people get out the vote, that reflection would be much more representative of our diverse population."
Monte and Elizabeth High are among those inspired by Kefalas to become more politically active.
"We've always voted, but we've never been involved," Elizabeth High said. "John just really inspires me, and I want to do everything I can to help."
Monte High said he attended his first caucus this year so he could vote for Kefalas.
"John really lives everything he talks about," he said. "A lot of candidates talk and talk but never follow through."
Ann Ruddy said it has been several years since she has been actively involved with a political campaign, but Kefalas made her want to come back.
"I've been out for a long time," she said. "John brought me back in. He made me care about local politics again."
Ruddy said she agreed with Kefalas that the campaign has already been won because they have engaged more people in the political process, but wants him to win on Tuesday.
"A good, honest effort never disappears into the universe," she said. "But if he loses, I think I'll become very disillusioned again."
Kefalas said his strategy for the next two days is going to be the same one utilized throughout his campaign -- hitting the streets and the phones.
"Getting out the vote is the focus," he said. "We'll be walking this afternoon. We'll greet people at polling places on Tuesday."
