State Treasurer Mike Coffman’s decision to ship out to Iraq, coupled with the possible departure of Secretary of State Donetta Davidson, could give the GOP a significant advantage heading into next year’s elections.
The departures would give Republican Gov. Bill Owens the opportunity to name replacements that have the best chance of holding onto the seats in 2006.
If that happens, Owens will have appointed all of the officials – besides himself – who are elected statewide. Owens appointed Republican John Suthers to replace Democrat Ken Salazar as state attorney general when Salazar was elected to the U.S. Senate last year.
“It means three outstanding candidates all picked by an outstanding governor. What can I say? I don’t see what the problem is,” Owens said with a smile.
Coffman said he wants to resume his post when he returns from Iraq in March 2006. The governor said he is not yet sure whether he can or will grant that request or name a permanent successor.
Davidson has been approached about an appointment to the federal Election Assistance Commission.
If she also leaves, Republicans agree that Owens would strive to appoint Republicans who could hold onto the treasurer and secretary of state seats in the November 2006 election.
That would give the GOP an advantage in what would otherwise be two open-seat elections. Coffman and Davidson are term-limited. Suthers can run in 2006 as an incumbent in what would have been an open seat.
Tim Knaus, former state Democratic Party chairman, said Republicans have shown “they will go to any lengths to avoid an open seat.”
“I think it helps Democrats because I think voters are sick of this stuff. I don’t know all the details. Maybe it’s on the up and up, but when Bill Owens is involved, I doubt it,” he said.
Coffman’s announcement that he’s stepping down to rejoin the Marines and head to Iraq probably means he is out of the race to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez, who is positioning himself to run for governor.
But Coffman said he is considering running for the secretary of state’s office when he returns.
Republican consultant Walt Klein said Coffman’s voluntary deployment until March 2006 will make it difficult for him to run for any office that November. “It’s a decision that is tantamount to taking himself out of play,” Klein said.
Coffman, whose assignment in Iraq will be to help build democratic governments there, disagrees. “I think if I can put together an election in Iraq, I think I can put together one here in Colorado as secretary of state,” he said Thursday.
Staff writer Mark P. Couch contributed to this report.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-820-1633 or cfrates@denverpost.com.