Brittni Packard, Democratic candidate for HD55, used Club 20 debate to criticize the high cost of the event for cash-strapped, average Mesa County citizens. Club 20 Exec. Director laughs.

Democrat Brittni Packard, who is running against Republican incumbent Rick Taggart for the Colorado House District 55 seat, used her time at the Club 20 Debate to point out the gross injustice of the event, saying that at $165 per ticket, the cost of attending the debate makes it far too exclusive for most Mesa County citizens to attend. Packard said the event is financially inaccessible for people like her, making it undemocratic and “frankly, a disgusting display of greed and everything that’s wrong with American politics today.”

Here is the text of her 1 minute, 45 second long speech:

“My name is Brittni Packard and I’m running for House District 55.

I’m here today to discuss this debate’s inaccessibility and exclusivity. If I weren’t a candidate, tickets are $165 a seat for me and $165 a seat for my partner. That’s $330 total, which is more than two weeks’ worth of groceries for my family. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average citizen in Mesa County makes close to $40,000. According to the City of Grand Junction, in 2024 the median market rate for rent was $1,500. After paying rent, utilities, phone and internet and paying off debt — because let’s be real, we all have debt — there’s nothing left for an event like this, unless people are saving and budgeting. Additionally, the [unintelligible event name] yesterday evening was $150 for myself and $125 for my partner. It was

sponsored by companies like Lockheed Martin and Flock. What sealed the deal for me was the unpublicized, invitation-only event for candidates and high-tiered sponsors. These are the types of barriers that prevent all people from participating in democracy and the types of barriers that discourage average people from running for office. I stand here today as someone who historically couldn’t and still can’t afford a seat in this room. I stand here today as someone who historically couldn’t, and still can’t afford a plate at your state [unintelligible]. I stand here today as someone you can’t exploit, someone who will not be bought and sold by corporate interests and high donors. I’m not dressed for this debate today because I will not participate [in an event] that is inaccessible to the average citizen in Mesa County. It is not democratic, and is frankly a disgusting display of greed and everything that’s wrong with American politics today.

If you would like to learn more about my stances on issues discussed here today, go to my Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or my website VoteForBrittnifor55 .com.”

After the debate, Club 20 Executive Director Wade Haerle commented about Packard’s speech to the Daily Sentinel by saying: “Well, it’s never dull at the Club 20 debates! Her choice. We will be laughing about this for years to come.”