Mike Coffman - Coffman Signs Norquist's Taxpayer Protection Pledge

2/28/08 - PotlickerCO.com
By Jeremy Pelzer

Secretary of State Mike Coffman's campaign announced Thursday that he signed the Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection pledge - making him the first candidate in the CD-6 GOP primary to do so.

By signing the pledge, Coffman commits himself to opposing any attempt to raise marginal income tax rates for individuals or businesses and resisting any reduction of elimination of tax deductions or credits unless there's a matching tax cut.

Since 1987, Americans for Tax Reform, a national anti-tax advocacy group led by Grover Norquist, has asked all federal candidates sign the pledge, the release stated.

"By signing the Pledge, Sec. Coffman demonstrates his allegiance to hard-working taxpayers nationwide, as well as dedication to taxpayers in Colorado," Norquist said in the release. "I applaud him for his leadership and dedication to the ideals of limited government."

Current Colorado politicians who have already signed the pledge include U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), as well as U.S. Reps. Marilyn Musgrave (R-3rd), Doug Lamborn (R-5th), and Tom Tancredo (R-6th), according to the ATR Web site.

A spokesperson for businessman Wil Armstrong, a Coffman primary opponent, did not have an immediate comment. The other CD-6 GOP candidates, state Sens. Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch) and Steve Ward (R-Littleton), did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.