Washington – U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard has made up his mind about whether he will seek a third term in 2008, but he’s keeping his decision secret a bit longer.
Only Allard and his wife know his plans, press secretary Steve Wymer said Friday, confirming a report posted Thursday on Congressional Quarterly’s website, CQPolitics.com.
Allard has not said when he will announce his choice.
His decision has major implications for Colorado, the Senate and the Republican Party.
“It’s a big deal for the Republican Party because they’re facing another tough election cycle and they want all their incumbents running,” said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. “And it’s Colorado, which has been rapidly moving from the Republican column into the Democratic column.”
Allard’s seat has been called one of the nation’s most competitive for 2008, regardless of whether he runs again. Jennifer Duffy, an analyst with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, puts it in the three most closely contested Senate races.
Allard, 63, pledged in 1996 to serve just two Senate terms, but late last year, he told The Denver Post that he believes voters now view term limits differently.
Staff writer Nancy Lofholm contributed to this report.
