Gov. Jared Polis ignited a political firestorm Tuesday night after weighing in on the prison sentences of two former Colorado officials — a Democrat and a Republican — convicted of attempting to influence a public servant.

The comments quickly fueled speculation about possible clemency for former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters and drew sharp pushback from fellow Democrats.

Polis made the comments on his personal X page, rather than his gubernatorial account.

“Last week, former State Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis was sentenced to probation and community service after being convicted of four felonies, including Attempt to Influence a Public Official. She made a horrible mistake, and she was wrong,” Polis said in a post on X. “I hope she learns from this and can rebuild her life. As someone who has known Sonya as a friend for many years, on a personal level I was glad to hear she isn’t going to prison which is a hard place for anyone, no less a retired 68-year old pharmacist.”

Jaquez Lewis was sentenced to two years of supervised probation and 150 hours of community service, and a $3,000 fine, to be waived if she completes an additional 100 hours of community service, on one count of attempting to influence a public servant and three counts of forgery, all felony charges.

Jaquez Lewis was indicted last July for submitting forged letters to a state Senate ethics committee in January 2025 that was investigating her over allegations of mistreatment of legislative aides.

In his post on X, Polis added, “But it is not lost on me that she was convicted of the exact same felony charge as Tina Peters — attempting to influence a public official — and yet Tina Peters, as a non-violent first time offender got a nine year sentence.”

“Justice in Colorado and America needs to be applied evenly, you never know when you might need to depend on the rule of law. This is the context I am using as I consider cases like this that have sentencing disparities, which is why I have extended the deadline for clemency applications until April 3rd. I will be making decisions on these cases throughout the remainder of my governorship,” the governor said.

The post is among several indications Polis made in the last few months that he is leaning toward offering clemency to Peters.

Polis’ post, by Wednesday afternoon, had attracted some 1.6 million views and thousands of comments, many of them critical of the governors and others defending Peters.

Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger incorrectly stated on Bluesky that Polis had already pardoned Peters.

On Bluesky, readers criticized Polis for even considering clemency, arguing that Peters showed no remorse for the actions that led to her a nine-year prison sentence last year.

On X, Polis also received criticism. Others should Polis should have pardoned Peters already.

“How about a 70yr old gold star mom trying to protect the civil rights act?” Rep. Ken deGraaf, a Republican, said.

“Tina’s already served a year and a half — that’s more than enough for a first-time, non-violent offender. Add home confinement for another year, probation after that, and permanently bar her from anything election-related. Done,” said another user. “Comparing her to Jaquez Lewis just shows the disparity; 9 years was way overboard. Time to show some actual mercy and consistency.”

Still, others said the two cases — Jaquez Lewis and Peters — are not the same, suggesting that the governor is making a logical and ethical leap.

Convicted in 2024, Peters was found guilty on seven out of 10 charges, including four felonies — three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation. She was also convicted on three misdemeanors — first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with an order from the secretary of state.

The charges are all tied to a security breach for election equipment at the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder’s office in May 2021. 

Peters had allowed unauthorized access to a “trusted build” update of her county’s election software. Videos and images from the update were later posted online and shared at a cybersecurity conference Peters attended, hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

President Donald Trump pardoned Peters, although he does not have the authority to offer clemency to a person convicted on state charges. Some have claimed or insinuated that Trump has targeted Colorado, in part for failing to release Peters.

Elected officials reacted Wednesday to the governor’s statement.

Attorney General Phil Weiser, who has long opposed clemency for Peters, said to offer it would be “dangerous” for elections.

“Reducing the sentence of convicted former clerk Tina Peters for tampering with election equipment would be a grave miscarriage of justice and dangerous for free and fair elections,” Weiser said, adding clemency should be based on remorse, which Peters has not demonstrated.

Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, told reporters Wednesday that he questioned Polis’ approach.

“I don’t know that I can equate the crimes as the same crime … I don’t think either one should get (clemency),” he said, arguing such a conversation is too soon for Jaquez Lewis and echoing the criticism that Peters has shown no remorse.

Some broached the idea of a legislative response, in case the governor pardoned Peters.

Rodriguez said such a response would be up to his caucus: A bill would have to be signed by the governor, whereas a resolution wouldn’t require the governor’s signature.

“It’s a personal decision for him. I wouldn’t do it for either,” Rodriguez said.

“It’s more complicated than what I saw on Twitter,” he added.

Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, said he and the governor have talked about Peters. The governor has no responsibility to tell them what he’s doing, and they would meet with him again on Wednesday and bring it up, the senator said.

That said, the tweet was a surprise, Coleman said. He added that he did not believe Peters’ sentence was unfair.

Legislative action could be brought to the members, who would then make their own decisions, he said, adding whatever the governor does shouldn’t affect what lawmakers do this session.

“We only have until May 13 to figure it out,” he said.