Wednesday, March 21, 2007

McInnis out in run for U.S. Senate From The Cherry Creek News, "The multi-term Congressman from Colorado's Western Slope, Scott McInnis, will not seek the Republican nomination in 2008 to run for an open United States Senate seat. GOP incumbent Wayne Allard will not seek re-election, and holding the seat is a major Republican priority. Mark Udall, a Democrat representing Boulder County and much of Colorado's central mountains is an all-but-announced contender, and is expected to be quite formidable. "McInnis' decision underscores the Republican's tough position in 2008, as scandals in the Bush administration and the morass of Iraq continue to drag down Republican fortunes. Former Rep. Bob Schaffer, retired Air Force Gen. Bentley Rayburn, Attorney General John Suthers are among those to be considering a Senate run. But McInnis' decision will cause others, including former Governor Bill Owens and former Congressman Bob Beauprez to resurface as prospects." Category: Denver November 2008 Election 5:37:45 PM

Coffman orders re-certification of voting machines From today's Denver Post, "Secretary of State Mike Coffman said Tuesday he has adopted new rules for testing electronic voting machines after problems in the November election. 'Coloradans must have confidence in the technology used to conduct elections, and these new testing requirements will provide that confidence,' Coffman said in a statement. The new procedures were adopted under the secretary's rule-making authority. They include detailed security standards for all voting systems that will require 437 tests to be certified for use in Colorado. Coffman said the four electronic voting systems currently used in Colorado's 64 counties will have to apply for recertification, a process that could take up to 90 days. The four systems are created by Hart Intercivic, Diebold Election Systems, Sequoia Voting Systems and Election Systems and Software." Category: Denver May 2007 Election 6:35:54 AM

McInnis for U.S. Senate? Scott McInnis is still looking at a run for the U.S. Senate, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Republican Scott McInnis said in January that 'there was no question' he would run for the U.S. Senate if Wayne Allard decided not to seek re-election. But two months later, McInnis is still 'assessing' a run as the road toward a possible nomination has become bumpier. Not only does the national political environment still show voter dissatisfaction with Republicans, but GOP backers have paused at some of McInnis' past political decisions and current status as a lobbyist. Additionally, former Sen. Bill Armstrong, known as the 'godfather' of the state GOP, isn't backing him, and has thrown his support behind former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer - who hasn't decided whether he is running... "Colorado is currently the only state with a 2008 Senate race in the 'tossup' category, said Jennifer Duffy, managing editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. National players are expected to funnel large amounts of money here, but they don't want to waste it on bitter primaries or candidates that don't have adequate support... "And McInnis does have some handicaps, Duffy pointed out. He is a lobbyist, which can be a liability in a political race. Some of his work has already led some liberal groups to dub him 'McLobbyist' - similar to the 'lawyer-lobbyist' label wielded effectively against Democrat Tom Strickland when running against Allard. McInnis, the six-term congressman from Grand Junction, also left office two years ago embroiled in a controversy for paying his wife more than $37,000 to serve as his campaign manager even though he wasn't running for anything. The payments were not illegal, but it caused some watchdog groups to contend McInnis violated the spirit of the law. 'It's a different political climate, ... and some of his baggage becomes much heavier,' Duffy said. Wadhams said if McInnis decided to run, voters would care most about McInnis' voting record, 'which is consistent with Colorado' voters. But the question still remains whether McInnis will have enough support from the conservative base." Category: Denver November 2008 Election 6:33:02 AM

© Copyright 2007 John Orr. Last update: 4/16/07; 7:13:47 PM.