Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was censured by the state Democratic Party on Wednesday over his decision to commute the sentence of Tina Peters, who was convicted of breaching a voting system.
The executive order Polis signed reduced Peters’ sentence from 8 years and three months to four years and four-and-a-half months, making her eligible for parole on June 1.
Peters, who was the Mesa County Clerk, didn’t believe Biden won the 2020 election. She was convicted in 2024 of three counts of attempt to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, violation of duty elections and failure to comply with secretary of state requirements.
Republicans criticized Peters’ sentence as excessive given the crimes she committed.
Colorado Democrats approved the censure measure with 89.9% support, according to The New York Times. Though the measure was mainly symbolic, Democrats say it serves as a black mark on Polis’ political record as he prepares to end his second term in office.
For his part, Polis said he made a bold decision and he is comfortable with it.
Who is Tina Peters, and why did Polis pardon her?
The 70-year-old Peters has spent almost two years in prison for allowing a Trump supporter to have access to Mesa County’s election systems during the 2020 election.
Peters’ pardon came amid 35 other pardons and nine commutations issued by Polis.
“The Clemency power is a serious responsibility, and not one that I take lightly,” Polis said in a press release announcing clemency for the 44 individuals. “It comes with great consideration, and sometimes even controversy. That’s why I’ve taken the time needed to carefully review and deliberate on these applications, and carefully consider input from victims and family members impacted, law enforcement, and those in the justice system who worked on these cases.”
Why did Colorado Democrats oppose Polis’ decision?
Peters was convicted of state crimes, not federal, meaning she could not be pardoned by President Donald Trump, who had been advocating for Peters release for months, even posting “FREE TINA PETERS!” on Truth Social in March.
Democrats suggested Polis’ decision was influenced by Trump.
“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,” the Party said in a statement. “That’s a dangerous and disappointing precedent to set.”
Democrats said they were opposed to Peters’ pardon because she was “one of the nation’s most prominent election denial figures”, as described in the formal complaint issued by the party.
The party argued that Polis’ actions were incompatible with the principles of defending democracy and rejecting efforts to delegitimize elections. This disparity, they said, harms the party directly.
“The issue presented in this controversy is not whether Governor Polis possessed constitutional clemency authority, but whether the exercise of that authority in this instance materially harmed the interests, credibility, and democratic commitments of the Colorado Democratic Party,” they wrote in the complaint.
What lies ahead for Polis?
The censure means that Polis will not participate in upcoming events sponsored by the Colorado Democratic Party, including the Obama Gala and DemFest, both set to take place in June.
Despite opposition, Polis said he stands by his decision to release Peters.
“I think this will be remembered fondly,” Polis told The Colorado Sun. “People know I’m a man of action. I’m a bold person. I’m doing to do things that I think are right, and that’s why people put me here. They want me to do things that I think are right.”