Here’s why former gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl endorsed Randy Thurston for Pueblo mayor

Former gubernatorial Republican candidate Heidi Ganahl visited Pueblo last week to reaffirm her endorsement for Randy Thurston, who alongside seven other mayoral candidates is trying to unseat incumbent Mayor Nick Gradisar.

Ganahl last Tuesday was at Brues Alehouse as part of a fundraiser for Thurston’s campaign. Last year’s Republican candidate for governor, Ganahl first announced her endorsement for Thurston during his campaign launch party earlier this year. Her bid months earlier to become Colorado’s governor had been bested by Gov. Jared Polis.

At last Tuesday’s fundraiser, Ganahl again spoke of her support for Thurston and said he would be an “incredible” mayor that would take a stand against crime and promote public safety.

Thurston, a former city councilor, during his campaign has been vocal about how he would have “zero tolerance” for crime as mayor.

"Randy is one of the most committed and principled people I’ve met over the last couple years in my journey to run for governor," Ganahl said in an emailed statement to the Chieftain. "He is a caring, compassionate leader that knows the problems Pueblo faces intimately as a native. He also has well thought out solutions that resonate with voters addressing crime, homelessness and corruption. I love that he is a happy warrior and a great listener."

Ganahl says Thurston can be a ‘strong leader’ that would take a stand

Thurston told the Chieftain that Ganahl’s endorsement of his campaign is “huge” because of how much she “cares and wants to make the state a better place” and sees the “importance of Pueblo in moving forward.”

“We need strong leaders right now and people who will take a stand and say no to corruption, illegal drugs, crime and actually do things to make a difference,” Ganahl said during her supportive speech of Thurston’s campaign.

Ganahl during her campaign for governor expressed that she was a “mom on a mission” who wanted to better the cost of living and curb crime in the state and eliminate its income tax and economy, among other pursuits. In 2016, she had a successful bid to the CU Board of Regents and before that founded Camp Bow Wow, a dog care service that has rapidly expanded since its inception.

Controversy at times had been part of Ganahl’s campaign. She at one point didn’t answer questions from media outlets that asked her if 2020 election results were valid before admitting there wasn’t any fraud involved with it.

Her running mate, Danny Moore, falsely claimed on social media that President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election, though he later backtracked on that. Ganahl around the time insisted Moore had a right to have questions about elections and the discourse around them.

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Thurston said he met Ganahl when she started her bid for governor and that it was clear to him how much she “cared about people.”

“I’ve never seen somebody care so much to get the truth out and make sure that we’re on the side of right and we’re able to be a strong community united,” Thurston said. “She’s not a divider, she’s a uniter.”

Thurston at Pueblo’s mayoral debate earlier this month touted his experience and highlighted how, on his first day as mayor, he would work with the Pueblo Police Department to establish a drug task force. He also pledged to improve the city’s roads, address issues with affordable housing and homelessness.

“The leadership here stinks, and I’m talking to you Nick (Gradisar),” Ganahl said at the fundraiser last week. “We need a change and Randy is the change that we need.”

Ganahl's support of Thurston is one of a trio of high-profile endorsements in this year’s mayoral race. The Pueblo Firefighters union in February announced its endorsement of Gradisar and the Pueblo PD union last month said it would publicly back Heather Graham, who is president of city council and a business owner.

This year’s election, which includes contests for the mayor, city council and more, will take place Nov. 7. Ballots will be mailed to voters Oct. 16.

Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @josuepwrites. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Here's why Heidi Ganahl supports Randy Thurston for Pueblo mayor