Colorado Republicans, trying to recover from two disastrous election cycles, have begun to ask: Who will lead us?
Without a governor, a state Senate resident or House speaker, the role of state party chairman takes on greater significance, and guessing who that might be has become a parlor game for insiders.
Current GOP chairman Bob Martinez might seek another two-year stint despite his party’s losing the Colorado governor’s mansion, a seat in Congress, the treasurer’s office and further solidifying their minority status at the statehouse last month. “He’s thinking about running for another term,” said Bryant Adams, party spokesman. “But he hasn’t made up his mind and he’s not leaning either way right now.”
It’s not as if Colorado was the only state where Republicans lost, so Martinez can’t shoulder all of the blame. However, some insiders are pushing for new blood. The GOP central committee will vote in March.
Former House Speaker Lola Spradley, Marc Holtzman‘s lieutenant governor candidate, is seeking the seat. And Bruce Peterson, who helped turn around the Arapahoe County Republicans, also is “very interested” in the job. He’s trying to determine the needs of the party and if he has the skills to “satisfy those needs.”
“Everyone I have talked to has been very encouraging,” he said.
Former state senator and interim treasurer Mark Hillman‘s name is a parlor game favorite, but he says he’s not interested. Former Congressman Bob Schaffer is asked daily to run for the seat, and while his official answer is “never say never,” it’s unlikely he would.
New state senator on tap
State Sen. Jim Dyer recently was elected Arapahoe County commissioner even though he still has two years left on his Senate term. Don’t expect him to rush his resignation.
When asked if he would capitalize on the “Fitz-Gerald rule,” Dyer said Friday “I would expect so.”
The courts ruled earlier this year that since Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, appointed to her seat after Tony Grampsas died, served a few days less than half of Grampsas’ four-year term, she could serve an additional two full terms under Colorado’s term-limit law.
A vacancy committee must select Dyer’s replacement within 10 days after he resigns. It likely will be Betty Ann Habig, a former Centennial councilwoman, or Steve Ward, former Arapahoe commissioner.
Eyes on 2008
“The Fix” column on washingtonpost.com says the race for U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard‘s seat is currently the No. 1 race to watch in 2008. Allard hasn’t publicly announced whether he’ll honor his term limits pledge and step aside, but Congressman Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, has said he’ll run.
The Fix notes Allard’s “meager campaign cash balance – $119,000 – seems to suggest he will keep that oath.” If he does run, he can raise big bucks fast. If he doesn’t, most see former Reps. Scott McInnis and Schaffer, along with Gov. Bill Owens, as potential candidates.
The Piled High City
Denver voters aren’t above ousting a mayor for not plowing the streets. (Anyone remember Bill McNichols in 1983?) But electoral retribution for last week’s lack of winter storm planning could be hard to do. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is up for election next year but so far no one is running against him. Names aren’t even being bandied about.
Of course, with only one candidate, it will be much easier for the Denver Election Commission to count votes.
Dan Haley (dhaley@denverpost. com) is on the Post’s editorial board. Read the Haley’s Comment blog at denverpostbloghouse.com/haley.
