Colorado Springs – Rep. Joel Hefley’s announcement Thursday that he would not seek re-election set off a political scramble in the 5th Congressional District that has not been seen in 20 years.
Political observers say as many as a dozen Republicans may jump into this year’s race for Hefley’s seat, although among Republicans, only John Anderson, former El Paso County sheriff, has formally declared.
Other Republicans weighing a possible bid include Jeff Crank, former vice president of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce; state Sen. Doug Lamborn; Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera; and El Paso County Commissioner Wayne Williams.
Jay Fawcett, an Air Force veteran and Democrat, also has declared his candidacy.
Republicans outnumber Democrats 184,592 to 86,854 in the district, which includes El Paso, Teller, Fremont, Chaffee, Lake and Park counties. The last time there was a contest among Republicans was 1996, when former state Sen. Bill Hughes was trounced by Hefley.
“I think it will be a fight for who has the conservative mantle,” said Chuck Broerman, a former vice chair for Colorado Republicans. “I think it’s going to be about traditional issues, from right to life to limited government, the budget, immigration, which has been more pronounced over the last couple of years and is extremely important to this district.”
Amy Walter, senior editor for the Cook Political Report, said that nationally, there are 16 Republican open seats to nine seats for Democrats. “In this district, the odds are with Republicans,” Walter said.
But Democrats are encouraged by the hope that Fawcett might now receive more support from the national Democratic Party, said state party chair Pat Waak.
“They tend to look more seriously at open seats, and that wasn’t an open seat before now,” Waak said. “From our point of view, open seats are really pretty exciting.”
Time is short for those who have yet to declare and want to get on the ballot. The El Paso County caucuses are March 21, followed by the county assembly April 15.
Anderson announced his candidacy Jan. 10.
“Our decision to run was not based upon anyone else’s decision,” Anderson said. “Naturally, we would like the opportunity to run for an open seat, and we think our probability of winning goes up 5 or 6 percentage points, at least, if it’s an open field.”
Crank, who worked for Hefley in several capacities, including administrative director (chief of staff) from 1991 to 1998, is a public policy and business development consultant to the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. He had been the senior vice president of the chamber until about a week ago.
“I certainly have great interest, but I really do feel strongly that today should be about Joel,” Crank said.” …You’ve got to be partly crazy to follow Joel Hefley. You’ve got big cowboy boots to fill.”
Added potential candidate Lamborn: “Today is a day to remember (Hefley’s) contribution to our community and our country. He did great things for our military bases, and he had an excellent conservative voting record.”
Rivera, whose four-year mayoral term ends in April 2007, said he enjoys being mayor but will talk to his wife and friends about a possible run for the open seat. “I will never say that I won’t consider it. If there is another opportunity where I can help our city, better than where I am positioned now as mayor, then I’ll take a look at it.”
Williams, elected in 2002, said he expects to announce his decision Monday.
Fawcett, an Air Force veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War who has taught at the Air Force Academy and now works as a consultant to Northern Command in Colorado Springs, said the open seat makes the race more appealing.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you it adds some excitement to the race,” Fawcett said.
Staff writers Jim Hughes, Mark Couch and Julianne Bentley contributed to this report.
Staff writer Erin Emery can be reached at 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com.
