New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has picked five prominent local Democrats to run his presidential campaign in Colorado, his exploratory committee announced this afternoon.
Tom Strickland, Polly Baca, Lawrence Martinez and Erich Bussian have been named co-chairs of his Colorado campaign, according to a release. The governor hired J.W. Postal to direct the campaign and serve as spokesman.
In his picks, Richardson has chosen officials from the traditional party base, Latinos and organized labor.
Strickland served as Colorado’s U.S. Attorney from 1999 to 2000. He ran unsuccesssfully for U.S. Senate in 1996 and again in 2002. He is currently the managing partner at the Denver office of the Hogan & Hartson Law Firm.
Baca served in the Clinton administration and has been a representative and a a state senator. She served as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee from 1981 to 1989. She was co-chair for the Democratic National Conventions in 1980 and 1984. Baca is the chief executive officer of the Denver-based Latin American Research and Service Agency, which is also known as LARASA.
Martinez is a labor leader, who has worked with the Graphic Communications International Union for more than 40 years.
Bussian, a developer and alternative energy proponent, worked in Gary Hart’s failed presidential run in 1984. Bussian is active with the Democratic Party in Durango and La Plata County.
Postal, who owns a pension and investment consulting business, has served as an advisor to several prominent state Democrats. He serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee, and is vice-chair of the DNC’s Western Caucus.
Richardson plans to announce his choices at a news conference at the Centennial Airport this evening. Following the announcement, Richardson plans to attend a private fundraiser in Denver.
The five will join national political consultant Michael Stratton, who Richardson picked as his senior advisor when he announced his candidacy Jan. 22.
Staff writer Chuck Plunkett can be reached at 303-954-1333 or at cplunkett@denverpost.com.
