Former officials with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s Colorado campaign split into different camps Thursday, with some endorsing Hillary Rodham Clinton and another backing Barack Obama.
Lawrence Martinez, a retired official with the Graphics International Union, and former state senator Polly Baca — both state co-chairs for Richardson, who abandoned his presidential bid last week — threw their support behind Clinton.
Meanwhile, Tom Strickland, another former Richardson co-chairman in Colorado, endorsed Obama.
Former Denver Councilwoman Ramona Martinez emphasized Clinton’s experience. “She will know what to do,” said Martinez, who served in Bill Clinton’s administration. “She has the experience behind her.”
In October, Ramona Martinez told the Associated Press she was endorsing Richardson because he was the only candidate who could beat a Republican.
Strickland served as Colorado’s U.S. Attorney from 1999 to 2000 and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1996 and 2002. “Barack Obama’s record of change is something that Americans can believe in,” he said in a statement.
Also Thursday, Denver City Councilman Rick Garcia and Tom Downey, the 2000 Colorado director for the Al Gore-Joe Lieberman campaign, endorsed Obama.
Of the 70 delegates Colorado will send to this summer’s Democratic convention in Denver, 14 are “superdelegates,” who do not have to go through the traditional selection process and can support any candidate they choose.
Thus far, eight are uncommitted, four have endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton, and two have endorsed Barack Obama.
UNCOMMITTED
U.S. Rep. Mark Udall
U.S. Rep. John Salazar
U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar
Gov. Bill Ritter
Former Gov. Roy Romer
State party chairwoman Pat Waak
DNC member Debbie Marquez of Edwards
DNC member J.W. Postal
CLINTON
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette
DNC member Maria Handley of Lafayette
DNC member and former Denver City Council President Ramona Martinez
DNC member Mannie Rodriguez of Denver
OBAMA
U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter
DNC member Dan Slater of Cañon City
