Bruce, Waller face off

State Rep. Douglas Bruce has been called a "terrorist," a label he wore proudly as a description of his tactics with political opponents. Journalists often refer to him as an "anti-tax crusader." Responding to a Gazette questionnaire recently, he called himself a "freelance nemesis of dishonest socialists everywhere."

It's vintage Bruce - a colorful and combative style that's helped win a significant following. The style has also alienated many fellow Republicans, who say they largely agree with Bruce's views, but can't abide his tactics.

The latter group includes Mark Waller, who's trying to unseat Bruce in the campaign for House District 15. Waller has framed himself as an alternative to Bruce who can offer a more measured and collaborative approach to creating laws in the state Legislature without compromising conservative values.

"If we want to have a voice our elected officials have to put petty bickering and egos aside and work with all legislators to promote our values and further our cause," Waller said on his Web site in a veiled reference to Bruce. "Without effective communication we can have no representation."

Bruce scoffs at the suggestion he's an ineffective communicator.

"It's the first time I've been called inarticulate," he said.

The exchange is typical of the campaign to represent the district covering northeast Colorado Springs. It's easily the most spirited state legislative campaign among three contests for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 12 primary election. The other contested seats are for House District 17 and Senate District 4.

Charges and countercharges in the House District 15 contest fly so fast that few make newspaper headlines or TV broadcasts. Among the disputes, Waller alleges Bruce used his private charity, Active Citizens Together, to support his campaign without disclosing the contributions and spending in campaign finance reports. Waller hasn't officially complained to the secretary of state, which could prompt an investigation. Bruce denies the allegation.

Bruce has made numerous complaints about Waller's campaign spending, most of which were thrown out. One complaint - that Waller got an illegal corporate contribution - is scheduled for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge, but not until long after the primary.

Another line of attack for Bruce is Waller's failure to vote in several elections since his arrival in Colorado in 2000. Waller said he remained registered in Illinois until 2003, and after that scheduling difficulties sometimes prevented him from casting a ballot. He missed the 2004 election, for example, because he was preparing for a temporary Air Force assignment in Alabama, Waller said.

"I just couldn't get it worked out," he said. "I recognize that's something that I should have done."

It's a valid issue for voters to consider, Waller said, "Just like I think it's a valid issue to look at how many problems you've had in the state Legislature."

That's a swipe at Bruce's many run-ins with Democratic and Republican lawmakers during his first session at the Statehouse. In one of the higher-profile incidents, Bruce was the first Colorado lawmaker in history to be censured after he kicked - Bruce maintains it was a nudge - a newspaper photographer. That and many other incidents are routine subjects of discussion in the Waller-Bruce contest. Waller says he'll restore "dignified" representation to the district. Bruce says the episodes were manufactured by liberal news reporters and political leaders bent on ousting him. He refers voters to a lengthy rebuttal on his Web site entitled "Rumors Refuted."

None of it will ever be debated in front of voters because Waller says there's no point trying to discuss the issues with Bruce - he'd never get a word in edgewise, he says.

Other area campaigns for the state Legislature seem sleepy by comparison. In House District 17, Catherine Roupe is running against Sheila Hicks for the Republican nomination. Hicks hasn't campaigned much since she came in second for delegate votes at the El Paso County Republican Party Assembly in March. She has declined to talk with The Gazette after a story ran that examined legal problems she's had in recent years. Roupe has run a low-key campaign based on promises to fight for "lower, fewer taxes, affordable health care and health savings accounts, and jobs for our families."

In Senate District 4, the Republican primary is between Mark Scheffel and Bob Denny. Much of that battle is happening elsewhere in the state. The district covers part of northern El Paso County, but most of the geographic area is in Douglas, Teller, Park and Lake counties.

contact the writer: 636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com

CANDIDATES

HOUSE DISTRICT 15

For a two-year term representing an area that covers southeast Colorado Springs and extending east into El Paso County. Douglas Bruce was appointed to the seat in January. The winner will face Democrat Michelle Maksimowicz.

Douglas Bruce
Employment: Real estate investor
Political experience: El Paso County commissioner, state House representative
Contact: www.douglasbruce.com

Mark Waller
Employment: Private attorney, Air Force officer
Political experience: County GOP delegate and precinct committeeman
Contact: www.markwallerforhd15.org

HOUSE DISTRICT 17

For a two-year term representing an area that covers south-central Colorado Springs and Fort Carson. The current representative, Republican Stella Garza Hicks, is not seeking re-election. The winner will face Democrat Dennis Apuan.

Sheila Hicks
Employment: Volunteer lobbyist for the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Political experience: None
Contact: 482-4303, sheilaahicks@aol.com

Catherine M. "Kit" Roupe
Employment: Civilian military worker, Army veteran
Political experience: Various volunteer boards including the 4th Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission
Contact: www.catherineroupe.com

SENATE DISTRICT 4

For a four-year term representing an area that covers northern parts of El Paso County, plus parts of Teller, Douglas, Park and Lake counties. The current representative, Republican Sen. Tom Wiens, is not seeking re-election. The winner will face Democrat Joseph Alsup.

Mark Scheffel
Employment: Private attorney
Political experience: Former chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party, various other GOP posts
Contact: www.scheffel4senate.com

Bob Denny
Employment: Business owner and financial adviser
Political experience: GOP precinct committeeman
Contact: www.bobdennyforsenate.com