Update: Sherrie Gibson asked to respond more directly to the mention of her arrest in this original post. I linked to a Colorado Springs Gazette story in which she spoke about it, but Gibson wanted to add more context.

“It was an unfortunate situation that resulted from receiving a call regarding the sexual assault of my sister on a holiday,” she said. “This is not a new story and our family has moved past it. Thankfully, the Republican Party is full of people who are supportive of young women who’ve overcome circumstances. This is a party for everyone. After leading a U.S. Senate campaign, I’ve proven that I’m more than capable of doing the job. We are continuing our mission to build the Republican Party of the future.”

She gave the same explanation for the arrest in the story linked below in the original post.

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Sherrie Gibson of Colorado Springs is running for vice chair of the state Republican Party to fill the seat being vacated by Derrick Wilburn. Outreach and growth for the party top her agenda.

Gibson is a political strategist with experience in Washington, D.C. with a specialty in campaign management, who touts her experience with the caucus system and coordinating volunteer and get-out-the-vote efforts statewide.

She is a former candidate for El Paso County Commission who was chief of staff for Darryl Glenn’s campaign for U.S. Senate during his successful primary run last year.

“I think what I most often bring to the table is expanding the voter base and unifying all factions of the party,” she said. “Right now there are various factions that fall all over the spectrum. I’m a unifier and a person who brings spirit and energy.”

Gibson said she had amassed about 300 volunteers statewide “and that gives me a powerful base to activate,” she said.

She has been an El Paso County Bonus Member for the Republican Party executive committee, a selection based on volunteering and raising money, the last two years. Gibson is a graduate of Leadership Program of the Rockies and the Leadership Institute.

A Navy Veteran, Gibson’s husband and child are U.S. Marines. She has an undergraduate degree in political science from California State University San Bernardino and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Champlain College.

Gibson lost the El Paso County Commission race to former state legislator Mark Waller. During the campaign she faced questions about a past drunk-driving charge and financial issues.

Gibson is the only announced candidate for the vice chair. The election takes place April 1 at the party meeting. So far, Brandi Meek, the former Moffatt County Republican chair, is the only candidate for state party secretary. She is seeking a second term.

Wilburn considered a run for state party chairman, but last week told the Colorado Statesman he had decided against it.

Party chairman Steve House also isn’t seeking re-election. El Paso County GOP chairman Only Jeff Hays and George Athanasopoulos, who ran against U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter in November, have said they would run for state party chairman.