Why Governor Polis's Flirtation with Clemency for Tina Peters is a Betrayal of Democracy – And Yet Another Tone-Deaf Blunder by Democrats
Why would anyone pardon this criminal?
In the annals of political self-sabotage, few moves rival the spectacle unfolding in Colorado right now. Democratic Governor Jared Polis, a self-styled progressive with a libertarian streak, is seriously entertaining the idea of granting clemency to Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk convicted of tampering with voting machines in a desperate bid to prop up Donald Trump's baseless 2020 election fraud claims. Peters, who showed zero remorse during her trial and was sentenced to nine years in prison, represents everything wrong with the MAGA-fueled assault on American elections. Yet here we are, with Polis extending the clemency application deadline to April 3 and publicly musing about "sentencing disparities" in a way that screams political expediency over principle.
This isn't just a bad idea; it's a dangerous one. And it's a textbook example of how Democrats, even in blue strongholds like Colorado, can be astonishingly tone-deaf when it comes to the optics, and substance, of defending democracy.
The Tina Peters Saga: A Crash Course in Election Sabotage
For those who need a refresher, Tina Peters isn't some hapless bureaucrat caught in a minor mix-up. As Mesa County's top elections official, she orchestrated a scheme in 2021 to allow unauthorized access to voting equipment, copying sensitive data and leaking it online in an attempt to "prove" the 2020 election was rigged. This wasn't harmless curiosity; it compromised election security, cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands in repairs, and fueled the very conspiracy theories that led to January 6.
A jury in conservative-leaning Mesa County, not some liberal enclave, convicted her on seven counts, including felonies like attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy. The judge didn't mince words: Peters was a "charlatan" who posed an ongoing danger to the community, peddling lies without a shred of regret. Her nine-year sentence, handed down in October 2024, was fitting for someone who betrayed her oath to protect the vote.
Fast-forward to today: Peters is behind bars, but not for long if Polis has his way. Under pressure from President Trump, who has been badgering him since returning to office, Polis posted on X on March 4, comparing Peters' case to that of former Democratic state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who got probation for a similar felony. Polis called Peters' punishment "harsh" for a "non-violent first-time offender" and extended the clemency deadline, signaling he's open to commuting her sentence or offering other relief.
His office insists a full pardon isn't on the table, but even a commutation would let Peters walk free far too soon. Why? Apparently, to "evenly apply justice" and address disparities. But let's call this what it is: a cave to Trumpian bullying, wrapped in the thin veneer of fairness.
Why This is a Terrible, No-Good, Very Bad Idea
Granting clemency to Peters wouldn't fix a miscarriage of justice – it would create one. Here's why:
1. It Rewards Election Interference: Peters didn't just break the law; she attacked the foundation of democracy. Her actions were part of a broader effort to undermine trust in elections, echoing the Big Lie that still poisons our politics. Commuting her sentence sends a chilling message: If you're a Republican aligned with Trump, consequences are optional. As Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a fellow Democrat, put it, this would be "shocking" and "worrisome," eroding the very accountability that safeguards our votes.
2. Peters Shows No Remorse – And Remains a Threat: During her trial, Peters doubled down on her conspiracies, refusing to accept responsibility. The judge noted her as a continuing risk, and for good reason: She's still out there (from prison, even) promoting election denialism. Clemency without contrition isn't mercy; it's malpractice.
3. It Undermines Public Trust at a Precarious Time: With elections looming and misinformation rampant, the last thing we need is a high-profile case where a convicted tamperer gets a hall pass. This isn't about "disparities" – Peters' crimes were more egregious than the comparison case Polis cites, involving a broader scheme that directly targeted election systems. Equal justice means holding everyone accountable, not letting politics dictate leniency.
In short, this move would be a gift to election deniers everywhere, emboldening future sabotage while alienating voters who expect Democrats to stand firm against such threats.
The Bigger Picture: Democrats' Chronic Tone-Deafness
But zoom out, and this fiasco reveals a deeper malaise among Democrats: a baffling inability to read the room on issues that should be slam-dunks for them.
Polis, a tech-savvy billionaire who cruised to reelection in 2022, has built his brand on pragmatism and bipartisanship. Yet here he is, flirting with a decision that's ignited a "political firestorm" within his own party. Fellow Democrats are apoplectic: State lawmakers are blasting him, with one exclaiming, "Are you (expletive) kidding me?" on social media. Even Polis's own allies see this as a betrayal, warning it could "imperil" his standing and hand Republicans a narrative win.
This isn't an isolated incident. Remember when national Democrats dragged their feet on border security, only to watch it become a GOP hammer? Or how they've fumbled messaging on inflation and crime, alienating swing voters while preaching to the choir? Polis's clemency flirtation fits the pattern: It's a needless concession to the right that undercuts the party's core strength, being the adults in the room on democracy and rule of law.
In a state like Colorado, where independents and moderates hold sway, this could backfire spectacularly. Why risk alienating your base to appease Trump, who's already threatening disaster declarations over unrelated gripes? It's tone-deaf politics at its finest, or worst, proving that even smart leaders can succumb to the siren song of "bipartisan" compromise when it's really just capitulation.
Time to Sound the Alarm – And Act
Governor Polis, if you're reading this: Do the right thing. Reject clemency for Tina Peters. Uphold the jury's verdict, the judge's wisdom, and the integrity of our elections. Colorado, and the country, deserves better than a get-out-of-jail-free card for someone who tried to steal our trust.
For the rest of us, this is a wake-up call. At American Muckrakers, we're not waiting around. We've launched polisnopardon.com to rally opposition: Sign the petition, email the governor, and help fund billboards and ads putting pressure where it counts. Democracy isn't a spectator sport. Please join the fight before it's too late.
If Democrats keep making these unforced errors, they'll hand the keys back to the very forces they're supposed to oppose. Let's hope Polis course-corrects before he becomes the latest exhibit in the museum of political tone-deafness.
So, what do you think? Sound off in the comments below, and subscribe for more muckraking on corruption and accountability. MUCK YOU to election deniers: we’re going to keep digging.
DBW
David B. Wheeler is President and Co-Founder of American Muckrakers and lives in Western North Carolina. His views are his own, and written directly by David, with spell checking and minor edits with the the help of his AI buddy. An essay or story is never independently generated by AI and posted. That would be just stupid.
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It is ridiculous that he is even considering this nonsense.