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Sen. Bob Bacon supports Rich Ball

Posted Nov 12 at 10 AM
Friends,

I am writing today in support of Rich Ball, lifelong Lovelander and Democratic state senate candidate for District 15. I hope that you will join me in supporting Rich's campaign to work on getting Colorado's economy back on track.

As state senator for District 14, it is very important to me that Larimer County's legislative delegation be joined by an individual as experienced and talented as Rich Ball. His deep roots in Loveland and Larimer County, his public service with numerous local charitable organizations such as United Way and Hospice, and his broad experience as an attorney and small businessman give Rich a unique Northern Colorado perspective that our state legislature needs.

As state senator for District 15, Rich will advance a common sense agenda of protecting our public education system, increasing access to health care, and keeping Colorado a safe, healthy, and beautiful place to live. Rich understands that Colorado's economic future hinges on protecting schools, fixing health care, and taking care of our environment.

Please join me in helping Rich start strong with a $10, $15, or $35 donation.

Rich is an extremely competitive candidate in District 15, and that requires all of us to pull together to send this community leader to the state senate to fight for us. He already earned the support of colleagues such as Sen. Brandon Shaffer, Sen. John Morse, former Sen. Stan Matsunaka and former Sen. Peggy Reeves. If we act decisively now, we will make sure that District 15 and Larimer County receive the targeted attention required to win competitive elections.

Please join in me in supporting Rich Ball for Senate with your donation. This race is critical to Larimer County's and Colorado's future.

Sincerely,

Bob Bacon
State Senator, District 14

p.s. - Help me make Larimer County an early target for the state party. Donate $10, $15, or $35 today!
Ball announces bid for state Senate seat

Posted Oct 27 at 12 AM
By Jennifer Lehman
Loveland Reporter-Herald

Loveland attorney Rich Ball, in announcing his candidacy Friday for the state Senate, said he received encouragement to run from members of both parties.

Between 50 and 75 people gathered Friday afternoon outside Loveland’s Municipal Building for the Democrat’s announcement.

He plans to oppose incumbent Sen. Kevin Lundberg, a Berthoud-area Republican, next year in the District 15 race.

“It was a hard decision,” said Ball after his prepared speech. “It’s hard on family, and it’s a tremendous commitment and it’s a change of lifestyle.

“I’ve been mulling this over for several months,” he said. “I got a little bit of arm-twisting from folks that I respect, from people of all levels including down at the Capitol.”

Ball said former state Rep. Bill Kaufman, a Republican, and former state Sen. Stan Matsunaka, a Democrat, both encouraged him to run.

“He didn’t say ‘no’ outright the first time (I asked him to run), so I was encouraged,” said Matsunaka, who was the most recent Democrat to hold the seat.

“(Getting a Democrat elected in this district has) been done, and it can be done. We need the right candidate, obviously, which I think I am,” Ball said.

“I will sit down at the table with all the stakeholders,” Ball said during his speech, “with a cooperative attitude, not in isolation.

“I will outline a vision, a statement of our potential in Larimer County,” he said.

Ball talked about his and his family’s extensive background in the Loveland community — from the 1800s to his young grandchildren who will be attending Loveland public schools.

Ball said there needs to be a focus on the “hard problems” in education, transportation and the budget.

“We need what works today, now, in 2010, in 2011, in these tough economic times when jobs are needed and creative solutions are required,” Ball said.

“The state of Colorado has some real issues,” said state Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, who spoke at the event. “We need someone in the Legislature who’s a problem-solver. ... I look forward to working with you and knocking on doors with you.”
Loveland attorney to run in SD 15

Posted Oct 27 at 12 AM
Longmont Times-Call
10/16/2009

LOVELAND — A local attorney with deep roots in Loveland is challenging Sen. Kevin Lundberg for the Senate District 15 seat.

Richard Ball, a Democrat, will try to unseat Lundberg, who was appointed to the position by a vacancy committee after Steve Johnson resigned this year.

Johnson was elected to the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners.

“In good conscience, I could just not sit on the sidelines and watch any longer,” Ball said. “Our county needs inclusive, problem-solving, collaborative representation at the Capitol.”

Ball is the senior vice president of First Western Trust Bank, doing business development and estate planning while also serving as a community liaison.

Before that, he was a partner in the Loveland law firm Ball, Easley, Wabeke and Brummet.
Ball declares for state seat

Posted Oct 27 at 12 AM
By Jamie Folsom
Berthoud Recorder

[Fourth]-generation Coloradan and retired attorney Richard Ball of Loveland declared his candidacy for State Senate Dist. 15, currently held by Sen. Kevin Lundberg. Ball says he couldn’t wait on the sidelines any longer and wants to bring more “collaborative representation [to] the state capitol.” He currently serves on the boards of Pathways Hospice and the Fort Collins Symphony, and was previously president of Loveland Habitat for Humanity. He will formally announce his candidacy 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 at the Old Washington School Building, 500 E. Third St. in Loveland. The public is invited.

[Ball stated his] support for the Aims Community College ballot issue before Berthoud voters. In a phone interview Tuesday, Ball said, “I support what Aims is trying to do out there. It’s a wonderful venue … that creates equality and is the right thing to do.”
Ball to roll into Senate race

Posted Oct 27 at 12 AM
By Jeff Stahla
Loveland Reporter-Herald

A local attorney with deep roots in Loveland apparently will challenge Sen. Kevin Lundberg for the Senate District 15 seat.

Richard Ball, a Democrat, will announce Friday that he will try to unseat Lundberg, who was appointed to the position by a vacancy committee after the resignation of Steve Johnson earlier this year.

Johnson was elected to the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners.

“In good conscience I could just not sit on the sidelines and watch any longer,” Ball said. “Our county needs inclusive, problem-solving, collaborative representation at the Capitol.”

Ball is the senior vice president of First Western Trust Bank, doing business development and estate planning while also serving as a community liaison.

Before that, he was a partner in the Loveland law firm Ball, Easley, Wabeke and Brummet.

He is a Loveland native. His father, Conrad Ball, was a longtime district court judge. Conrad Ball’s tenure on the Thompson School District Board of Education and service as the district’s lawyer earned him the honor of having a middle school named after him.

“My family always taught us to give back to the community that has blessed us so much,” Richard Ball said.

Lundberg announced on Aug. 17 he would seek election to the seat.

Ball filed his campaign finance committee with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Sept. 28. Evan Patterson of Loveland is registered as his agent.

Ball’s announcement will be 1 p.m. Friday near the Foote Lagoon in the courtyard of City Hall.