Denver November 2004 Election
Mark Udall is planning to run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Yesterday Govenor Bill Owens dropped out and was encouraging first term congressman Bob Beauprez to run. Colorado Luis comments, "What a crazy day in Colorado politics."
Here's the coverage of Udall's announcement from the Rocky Mountain News [March 10, 2004, "Udall jumps into up-for-grabs election"]. Here's a story about Owens' announcement that he will not run, from the Rocky [March 10, 2004, "Putting family first"].
The Post has a story about the race and it's effect on the elections this fall [March 10, 2004, "The race: Udall in, Owens out"]. From the article, "The open seat will boost Colorado's political profile this year, attracting money and attention as Republicans seek to hold their 51-48 voting edge - with one Independent - and Democrats seek to regain the chamber.
'I think this will be a real horse race,' said pollster Paul Talmey. 'You're going to see a ton of money flowing into this state. This race could change the majority in the Senate.'
(Attorney General Ken) Salazar was one of the chief Democrats responsible for recruiting think-tank founder Rutt Bridges into the race before Campbell's decision last week not to run for re-election. Salazar said he would not be swayed in his decision by choices made by Owens or Udall.
Bridges, who became a candidate two weeks ago, said through a spokeswoman that Udall's move did not affect his decision. "We are absolutely in this race," said spokeswoman Susan Bachar.
Colorado's political leaders had to react quickly Tuesday as politicians weighed their own chances and, in some cases, dropped out of the running. Along with Owens, fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave passed on a run, while former Colorado congressman Bob Schaffer said he intends to seek the Senate seat. Republican U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, who is leaving the House, said he is still considering a run, while Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo also said he will announce a decision Tuesday. Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette said she will not run for the Senate, citing the needs of her young family.
Udall initially turned down his party's plea to run for the Senate seat when his friend Campbell would have been his opponent. He still is expected to wield a substantial amount of fundraising power.
Owens' blessing has suddenly vaulted Beauprez to a key position for money and name recognition. However, Don Bain, who was Republican Party chairman from 1993 through 1997, said President Bush and his advisers will probably have more to say than the governor. 'The behind-the-scenes player is likely to be the White House,' he said. 'They want a candidate who would preserve the majority. That is what it is about.'
Bain said Beauprez, who is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser with Vice President Dick Cheney later this month, would be a strong candidate, but he worries that the first-term congressman's open seat would be tough to win without an incumbent. 'The big downside is it opens up that 7th District and puts it at great risk,' he said.
Jefferson County District Attorney Dave Thomas, a Democrat, already has announced that he is giving the district a second shot after losing in the 2002 primary to former state Sen. Mike Feeley by more than 10 points. Feeley lost to Beauprez in the competitively drawn new district by such a narrow margin that the race was not decided for more than a month. Thomas has won three elections in the predominately Republican county.
Rick O'Donnell, a Republican who formerly was Owens' policy director, said Tuesday it is 'highly likely' that he would run for the state's newest congressional seat if Beauprez decides to run for the Senate.
Because a candidate cannot run for both U.S. Senate and the House, Udall's 2nd Congressional District seat is now up for grabs, although he is expected to serve out his current term.
Jared Polis, chairman of the State Board of Education, quickly jumped into the race for Udall's seat. Polis spokesman Michael Huttner said Polis 'is fully intending to run to fill the shoes being vacated by Congressman Udall.'
And state Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, also is expected to announce a run for the Democratic nomination for the 2nd District in the next few days.
The possibility of Salazar, whose brother, state Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, is running for the 3rd Congressional District this year, taking a stab at the Senate seat also opens up possibilities.
Under state law, Ken Salazar does not have to relinquish his position while campaigning. But with two years of Salazar's term left, Owens could appoint a Republican to his seat if he wins.
Already in the race are lesser-known Democrats Liz Baker and Larry Johnson of Boulder, Mike Miles of Colorado Springs and Brad Freedberg of Denver. Republican Dan O'Bryant of Colorado Springs is already running, and Daniel James Barnett of Denver has filed to run as a Christian Party candidate."
Thank you Senator Campbell, politics'll be a lot more fun this year now that you've shaken up the state.
Colorado Luis thinks that politics was even crazier today that it was yesterday. Ken Salazar is in the race for Ben Nighthorse Campbell's seat and Rutt Bridges and Mark Udall are now out.
6:53:08 AM 
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