Editor’s note: This letter was written in response to the Colorado Times Recorder’s article, “GOP Senate Candidate Blames ICE Protesters for Violence, Says ICE ‘Effectively Rescued’ 5-Year-Old Boy, Who Was Arrested,” published Feb. 6. 2026.
I read with interest the recent Colorado Times Recorder article covering the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate and the comments by State Sen. Mark Baisley.
However, I was surprised that the article did not include Montrose County Commissioner Sean Pond among the Republican candidates — even though he publicly announced his candidacy on January 4, 2026.
Sean Pond is not some peripheral figure; he is a sitting county commissioner who was selected to fill the District 3 seat and continues to serve Montrose County. His decision to enter the Senate race places him among the known Republican hopefuls, and voters deserve to see a complete list of announced candidates so they can make fully informed decisions.
News outlets play a critical role in our democracy by informing citizens — especially during election cycles. When a candidate who has made a formal announcement is left out of coverage, it contributes to confusion and can unintentionally skew public perception.
If the Colorado Times Recorder and other media outlets are going to cover candidate announcements, that coverage should be comprehensive and fair. That means including all announced candidates, regardless of where they’re from or how widely known they are.
Voters deserve the fullest picture possible as we head toward the June primaries. Let’s ensure that reporting reflects the full slate of candidates, including all who have officially stepped forward — like Sean Pond.
Thank you for considering this perspective.
Anna Garza
Weld County Resident
