Colorado Governor Jared Polis is considering granting clemency to Tina Peters, a former Mesa County clerk who was convicted of multiple charges related to election interference in the 2020 presidential election. Peters, who is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence, has become a cause célèbre among supporters of President Donald Trump, who have pressured Polis to release her.
Key Takeaways
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is considering granting clemency to Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted of election interference in 2024. President Donald Trump has pressured Polis to release Peters, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in a scheme attempting to find proof of election fraud. The governor's decision comes amid criticism from state officials and election administrators who argue that releasing Peters would send the wrong message ahead of this year’s midterms.
- Governor Jared Polis signals openness to granting clemency to Tina Peters
- President Trump pressures Polis to release Peters, calling her a 'patriot'
- State officials and election administrators criticize Polis' consideration of clemency
- Peters was convicted on multiple charges related to election interference in 2024
- Clemency decision hinges on whether Peters expresses remorse for her actions
The governor's decision comes amid criticism from state officials and election administrators, who argue that releasing Peters would send the wrong message ahead of this year’s midterms. In a social media post on Tuesday, Polis compared Peters' case to that of former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who was recently sentenced to probation and community service after being convicted of one of the same crimes as Peters.
"Justice in Colorado and America needs to be applied evenly," Polis wrote on X. "You never know when you might need to depend on the rule of law."
Polis has stated that whether Peters apologizes for her actions would be an important factor in his decision. However, Peters has not expressed remorse for her actions and continues to defend them as necessary to investigate possible fraud.
The governor's consideration of clemency has drawn swift rebuke from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, and the association representing local election officials. They argue that Peters' actions undermined the democratic process and that releasing her would send a dangerous message to anyone seeking to interfere with elections.
"Clemency should be based on remorse, rehabilitation, and extenuating circumstances — not on political influence, favor, or retribution," Weiser said in an emailed statement. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who is hoping to replace Polis as governor, also said Peters shouldn't be pardoned or have her sentence commuted.
"Donald Trump may be seeking revenge on Colorado, but surrendering to his political pressure will not make our state stronger or safer," Bennet said. Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, echoed these sentiments, stating that an early release for Peters would send the wrong message before this year's midterm elections.
In response to the criticism, a Polis spokesperson stated that the governor has been skeptical of Peters' sentence and was comparing it with the one given to Lewis. The spokesperson emphasized that Polis is considering clemency based on sentencing disparities and not political influence.
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