The State Capitol Building Advisory Committee is facing one whale of a dilemma – where to put Gov. Bill Owens‘ portrait (once it is painted).
The Hall of Governors in the Capitol’s west wing is full, with the exception of a blank wall where the portrait of Henry C. Brown has hung. Brown’s portrait is said to be undergoing restoration and will be returned to its historical location.
State Rep. Paul Weissmann, a committee member, said the panel is mulling alternatives. One option is to move a portrait to another wing and slide the others down to make way for Owens.
Brown would seem an obvious move since he never served as governor. Brown built the Brown Palace Hotel and is a prominent figure in Colorado history for having donated the 10-acre site on which the Capitol now stands. Tour guide Bessie Boyd said Brown’s portrait commands great attention from visitors, so there is reluctance to move him.
And anyway, that won’t solve the problem for the next governor, and the governor after that, and so on.
Weissmann says it might make sense to start a new portrait gallery in the barren east wing with Owens as the first governor of the 21st century. Or perhaps older figures in history could be moved eastward to make way for Owens and his successors in the more popular west wing. The committee has time to ponder the question. Gov. Owens is raising donations to pay for his portrait, which is not yet painted.
Joining a trend
If Bill Ritter wins the race for governor, he will join a quiet trend that started in 2003 of centrist Democrats succeeding Republican governors in Western states.
In New Mexico, Bill Richardson replaced Republican Gary Johnson. Montana’s Brian Schweitzer succeeded Judy Martz. Arizona’s Janet Napolitano followed Jane Dee Hull. Wyoming’s Dave Freudenthal succeeded Jim Geringer. In Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius replaced Bill Graves. And Oklahoma’s Brad Henry succeeded Frank Keating.
Ritter said that while the recently elected Democratic governors have their own brand of leadership, to a person they are “pragmatists and problem solvers, working for the common good.”
Republicans have fared better elsewhere in the West. Utah hasn’t had a Democratic governor since 1985, Nebraska and Nevada since 1999, Idaho since 1995. And California? A Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger, ousted a Democrat, Gray Davis, in 2003.
Top line marginal
Democrat Ken Gordon hopes to break the 43-year Republican hold on the secretary of state’s office. Gordon is one of two Democrats running for a statewide office who got top line on the ballot after the official drawing. Attorney general candidate Fern O’Brien was the other top-line Democrat. She is challenging Republican John Suthers.
Gordon is up against Republican state treasurer Mike Coffman for the secretary of state seat. Historically, the name on the top line has a slight advantage among voters who are undecided or don’t know the candidates. “I would want to be on the top,” Coffman conceded. “I think there’s an advantage in the general election. But it’s very, very marginal, very marginal.” Asked if he is trying to convince himself, Coffman laughingly responded, “Yes.”
In the other statewide races, top line goes to Republican Bob Beauprez over Bill Ritter in the governor’s race, and to Republican Mark Hillman against Cary Kennedy for treasurer.
Savage takes over
People who hang around the state Capitol know Colorado State Patrol Captain – make that Major – Ron Woods. The head of the governor’s security detail was promoted this month in a ceremony at Camp George West. Woods will take over the Staff Services Unit overseeing the patrol academy and technology, information and victims assistance units. Replacing Woods will be Mark Savage, who was promoted in the same ceremony from sergeant to captain. Congrats.
Julia C. Martinez (jmartinez@denverpost.com) is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.
