The Colorado Democratic Party voted overwhelmingly to censure Governor Jared Polis and suspend him from official party events over his decision to commute the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.

Party leaders said the move was “detrimental” and criticized Polis for reducing Peters’ nearly nine-year prison term for her conviction related to election equipment tampering.

About 90% of the party’s State Central Committee supported the action during a virtual meeting, marking an unusually strong rebuke of a sitting governor from his own party.

Polis defended his decision, saying it was based on fairness and constitutional concerns, and argued that disagreement should be addressed through debate rather than punishment, CPR News has reported.

Peters, a Trump ally, is scheduled for release on parole in June following her conviction and a court-ordered resentencing review.