Councilman Tom Bailey released a statement on Mar. 6 regarding the outcome of a recall petition effort against him, addressing concerns raised by some residents in Colorado Springs.
The issue is significant as it highlights ongoing tensions between elected officials and certain groups within the community over the use of recall petitions and the democratic process. Bailey said he remains committed to serving District 2 and making decisions that benefit both his district and the city.
“Colorado Springs residents deserve a city government that treats elections and public service with dignity and respect. Since being elected by the voters of District 2, I have remained committed to making decisions that are in the best interest of the people in our district and the city,” Bailey said. He added, “Reasonable people will sometimes disagree on matters of public policy, and elections exist so that citizens can choose who they trust to make those decisions on their behalf. The voters entrusted me with that responsibility last April, and I have worked every day since to honor it.”
Bailey criticized what he described as small groups seeking to overturn last year’s election results through what he called misuse of the recall process. “This effort does not stem from new concerns or sudden revelations – their grievances predate last year’s election. Yet the organizers chose to circumvent the democratic process and did not participate in that election. They did not field a candidate who represented their views, and some even encouraged voters to disengage entirely by claiming the vote was unimportant since I was ‘unopposed.'”
He also expressed concern about taxpayer costs for a special election: “Now, only a year after the voters chose their representative, these same groups are asking taxpayers to fund a quarter‑million‑dollar special election because they opted out of the one the city already held.” Bailey further stated, “I think they understand that their anti‑growth agenda does not reflect the views of most Colorado Springs residents. But rather than make their case to voters in an open election, they are attempting to rally a small but vocal minority in hopes of achieving, through a low‑turnout recall, what they could not achieve by participating in the normal electoral process.”
Bailey concluded his statement by saying, “This campaign has relied on misinformation and characterizations that erode trust in our local institutions for the sake of political convenience. This kind of divisiveness undermines the rules‑based system of government that has long served our community and our nation.” He added that despite his disappointment with today’s announcement, he will continue his work on City Council: “As with every matter brought before City Council, I will take time to evaluate the implications of this, gather public and expert input, and determine the best path forward for the people and City of Colorado Springs.”
