Colorado Democratic Party Issues Statement on Gov. Jared Polis’ Commutation of Tina Peters’ Sentence

DENVER - Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib released the following statement after Governor Jared Polis commuted the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters:

"Tina Peters was convicted by a jury of her peers and sentenced by a judge who said she would do it all over again if she could. The Republican district attorney who prosecuted her called any sentence reduction 'a gross injustice.' He's right.

Reducing her sentence now, under pressure from Donald Trump, is not justice. It sends a message to future bad actors that election tampering has consequences, unless you're friends with the president. That's a dangerous and disappointing precedent to set.

Colorado has spent years building trust in our elections and proving they are secure. At a time when democracy and voting rights are under attack across the nation, weakening accountability for someone convicted of undermining that trust is a mistake.

There are real cases that deserve the Governor's attention and action. This is not one of them."

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