Polis Hints at Clemency for Tina Peters, Citing Sentencing Disparity

Colorado governor compares Peters' 9-year sentence to probation for former state senator convicted of similar charges.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Colorado Governor Jared Polis has suggested he may grant clemency to Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk currently serving a 9-year prison sentence for her role in a data breach scheme following the 2020 election. Polis highlighted the disparity between Peters' sentence and the probation sentence given to former state Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who was convicted of the same felony charge.

Why it matters

The potential clemency for Peters raises questions about the fairness of the criminal justice system and whether political considerations may have played a role in the sentencing disparities. As a high-profile figure in the false claims of widespread voter fraud, Peters' case has drawn national attention and pressure from former President Trump.

The details

Both Peters and Lewis were convicted of attempting to influence a public official, but the circumstances of their cases differed. Peters was found guilty of allowing an unauthorized man to access Mesa County's election software, while Lewis was convicted of submitting fake letters of support to the Colorado Senate Ethics Committee. Despite the differing details, the charges were the same, leading Polis to suggest the sentencing disparity was unjust.

  • In late January 2026, former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis was convicted of four felonies and sentenced to two years of probation.
  • In 2026, Tina Peters was convicted on seven state charges, including four felonies, and sentenced to nine years in prison.
  • On March 4, 2026, Governor Polis hinted at the possibility of granting clemency to Tina Peters.

The players

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who is considering clemency for Tina Peters.

Tina Peters

The former Mesa County clerk who was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in a data breach scheme following the 2020 election.

Sonya Jaquez Lewis

A former Colorado state senator who was convicted of the same felony charge as Tina Peters but received a sentence of probation.

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What they’re saying

“It is not lost on me that [Lewis] 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.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado (X)

What’s next

Governor Polis has extended the deadline for clemency applications until April 3rd, suggesting he is actively considering granting clemency to Tina Peters.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about the fairness and consistency of the criminal justice system, particularly when it comes to high-profile political figures. The potential clemency for Tina Peters raises questions about whether political considerations may have influenced the sentencing disparity between her and former state Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis.