Democratic Congressman Mark Udall said this morning he will file the required federal paperwork to run for the Senate later in the day and announced he has raised $1.5 million for the campaign.
Udall, 57, who is serving his fifth term representing Colorado’s Second Congressional District, has made no secret of his intention to run for the Senate next year but has not formally announced. He hopes to replace GOP Sen. Wayne Allard, who is retiring.
Udall said Monday he raised $340,000 for his Senate campaign in the first three months of the year, bringing his total cash on hand to $1.5 million.
He said Monday he does not expect a primary opponent. But the campaign for the general election is expected to be fierce because it could help determine which party controls the Senate.
“There’s a lot of focus on this race,” Udall said.
Some analysts have said candidates could spend a total of $20 million, which would make it the most expensive in state history.
At least two Republicans have said they are considering running: former congressman Bob Schaffer and Attorney General John Suthers.
Former Republican congressman Scott McInnis decided not to run for the seat, removing one of the highest-profile GOP names from the race.
Udall is a member of one of the West’s best-known political families. His father, Morris, represented Arizona for three decades in the House; his uncle, Stewart, was a three-term Arizona congressman and became interior secretary in 1961; and his cousin, Tom Udall, is a Democratic congressman from New Mexico.