It seems too early to get fired up about the 2006 governor’s race, but there’s already lots to talk about it. With a full year to go before the primaries, both political parties are in obvious disarray and providing good entertainment for the rest of us.
On Thursday, businessman Rutt Bridges roiled many Democrats by announcing he was withdrawing from the governor’s race because he wasn’t cut out to be a politician. That followed last week’s hints by Republican candidate Marc Holtzman that he might be dropping out of the contest. Holtzman quickly backtracked and said he was simply refocusing his efforts on campaigning against this November’s budget-reform ballot measures.
Bridges deserves credit for recognizing the reality of the political competition 10 weeks after he announced his candidacy. Rather than prolong his own pain, he wasted no time in pulling out and clearing the way for other potential candidates. If Holtzman is thinking along the same lines – as some believe – he perhaps ought to consider doing the same.
Bill Ritter, Denver’s former district attorney, is the only Democrat now in the race. But the names of other potential candidates immediately resurfaced: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald and former Denver Mayor Federico Peña. Bridges’ announcement is sure to prompt other would-be candidates to ponder their prospects. U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar said through a spokesman that he wouldn’t count out the possibility of a run for governor. The first time Salazar spokesman Cody Wertz made that statement a few months ago, skeptics puzzled over whether Salazar is really thinking about leaving Washington less than a year after he was elected to the U.S. Senate. This week’s reaction was no different.
On the Republican side (in addition to Holtzman), former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell is reiterating earlier statements that he might come out of retirement for one last political fling. Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez has said he plans to run, though he hasn’t made a formal announcement. And other names are in the rumor mill.
There’s method behind all this early maneuvering. Lesser-known figures need a head start. It’s also useful for a candidate to test the waters early to pre-empt other candidates’ fundraising. Party operatives are looking for the strongest candidates.
So, neither the Democratic nor the Republican fields are closed, by any means. We continue to welcome all comers for what we hope will continue to be an entertaining – and eventually substantive – contest for Colorado’s top political post.
