Colorado Democrats criticize Gov. Polis for the reversal of the sentence of Tina Peters

Colorado Democrats formally accused Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday after he commuted the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted of election fraud.

The Colorado Democratic Party State Central Committee voted Wednesday to censure Polis, also a Democrat, after he issued a controversial reversal on Peters, who was convicted in connection with the 2021 voting machine tampering case.

“The reduction of his sentence now, under the pressure of Donald Trump, is not justice,” the group said in a statement. “It sends a message to the wrong actors of the future that election interference has consequences, unless you are friends with the president.”

“That is a dangerous and disappointing precedent that could be set,” the statement added.

COLORADO GOVERNOR POSTS TINA PETERS’ SENTENCE AS POSTED ‘FREE TINA!’

The party accused Polis of having “materially damaged” the credibility of the state party and prevented him from participating in official events sponsored by the Democratic Progressive Party.

It also said the clemency decision “does not reflect the values, institutional positions, or democratic commitments of the Colorado Democratic Party.”

When reached for comment, a Polis spokesperson defended the governor’s decision in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks to members of the media in the briefing room following the first vice presidential debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York on Oct. 1, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“The Governor made this decision based on the facts of this case and he believes that it should be done,” said the spokesman. “Sometimes what is right is not what everyone likes. Democracy is strongest when disagreements are met with debate and discussion, not censorship.”

The rebuke came after Polis announced clemency for 44 people last Friday, including 35 amnesties and nine commutations.

Peters was among those granted the commutation, which reduced the prison sentence and made him eligible for release on June 1, 2026.

APPEALS JUDGE APPEARS TO QUESTION VERDICT OF PRO-TRUMP COLORADO CLERK TINA PETERS

Lawyers for former Colorado election official Tina Peters have filed a motion to release her from prison and urged an appeals court to uphold President Donald Trump’s pardon. The proposal says Trump’s pardon applies to Peters’ conviction, a claim disputed by Colorado officials as the court considers its jurisdiction. (Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)

Peter became a national figure among 2020 election skeptics following the Mesa County voting machine hacking controversy and subsequent criminal prosecution.

President Donald Trump quickly weighed in on the commute, posting on Truth Social: “FREE TINA!”

According to an executive order signed on Friday, Peters’ sentence was reduced from eight years and three months to four years and four and a half months.

The order also stated that the clemency action “shall not interfere with the underlying conviction.”

Peters was convicted in 2024 of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, as well as conspiracy to impersonate a criminal, official misconduct, breach of duty and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.

In a statement announcing the pardon, Polis said, “Clemency’s power is a great responsibility, and not one I take lightly.”

“This power has the power to change lives – to help give a second chance to someone who has made serious mistakes – and it comes with a lot of consideration, and sometimes even controversy,” he added.

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The move was quickly condemned by Democrats, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who accused Polis of endorsing “an election denial movement.”

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.