Democratic Sen. Jim Isgar has applied for a regional agricultural job in the Obama administration, setting the stage for the biggest game of legislative musical chairs in recent history.
Isgar would resign if he got the job of state rural business-development director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But he said he would like to finish the session, which must end by May 6.
“I don’t know if I’ll get it,” Isgar said. “But I think (the appointment) could happen in the next few weeks.”
Isgar, of Hesperus could be the fourth Democrat to exit this year. Rep. Anne McGihon has resigned, and Democratic Sens. Jennifer Veiga and Peter Groff plan to step down after the session ends. All three are from Denver.
Groff got a position with the Department of Education and will move to Washington.
Isgar, a rancher turned certified public accountant, has been an anomaly in the largely Republican district in southwest Colorado’s Durango area. GOP leaders have been salivating over the 2010 race, when Isgar would be term limited.
Isgar’s early departure would let party officials install another Democrat for the remainder of his term, giving the appointee the advantages of incumbency and name recognition.
Isgar said Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter has written him a letter of recommendation, although he is aware Ritter has done the same for another Colorado applicant.
Also angling for a federal post is Rep. Karen Middleton, D-Aurora, who applied for a regional director’s job within the Education Department.
