(News Release, June 14) Former Senate President John Andrews today called on Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman to fire attorney Mark Grueskin. Grueskin is leading the court fight against the petition on illegal immigration -- for which Holtzman was one of the first petition signers. Andrews' letter to Holtzman appears below.----------------------------------- Mr. Marc Holtzman Holtzman for Governor 2881 S. Broadway Englewood CO 80113
Dear Marc: I support the proposal to end tax-paid services for illegal aliens in Colorado, and you have said you do too. But I am concerned about the mixed signals you are sending on this vital issue.
By employing Mark Grueskin, architect of the outrageous Supreme Court decision to throw our petition off the ballot, as your attorney in current litigation about the August primary, you are consorting with the enemy as far as illegal immigration is concerned. Why?
Your earlier gesture of signing the Defend Colorado Now petition, and now your endorsement of Gov. Owens’ threat to call a special session if the court ruling is not reversed, are utterly inconsistent with relying on Mr. Grueskin’s legal representation.
I urge you to discharge Mark Grueskin and turn your case over to another lawyer who is not fatally compromised on the immigration issue. Your statements on immigration are not credible as long as he is your attorney. Pursuing the current litigation is certainly your right, but please stop validating someone who is no friend of secure borders.
Sincerely, John Andrews Former President, Colorado Senate Co-Chair, Defend Colorado Now
PS – Remember that Mr. Grueskin’s victory over our petition this week was based on a single-subject claim that he himself acknowledged in a 2004 case could not be made “in a principled manner.” Gov. Owens pointed this out in his special-session press conference. Surely your campaign doesn’t want an attorney who plays so loose with principle.