Former President Bill Clinton greets Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, right, during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI America) meeting in Denver in 2015. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)
With his name being mentioned for a higher post in Washington, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday declined to commit to serving his entire four-year term.
Instead, he left the door wide open about a possible move to a Democratic administration, if the party wins the White House in 2016.
Asked about whether he would serve until his term ends in 2018, the Democrat replied:
“Will I commit to serve my entire four-year term? What does that have to do …” he said at the announcement of his new lieutenant governor.
He avoided answering the question directly, but said a moment later: “As I’ve said frequently, if I was offered something in Washington, I would certainly look at it.” At the moment, he added, “I could not be happier to be governor of Colorado.”
Hickenlooper is considered a contender for vice president or a cabinet post, particularly if Hillary Clinton wins in November, and has made numerous moves in recent months to put himself on the national and international stage.
The second-term governor has wavered on the question about his future for months. In May, he said he wasn’t interested in either post, adding “I have a 12-year-old son, and to leave Denver, it ain’t going to happen.”
But a month later, he changed his tune, saying he “would consider it.”
Hickenlooper also dismissed such talk ahead of President Barack Obama’s second term. The 64-year-old has said repeatedly, including as recently as December, that he’s too old to be vice president.
Colorado’s new No. 2, Donna Lynne, worked for three New York mayors, two Democrats and one Republican, but never she has never served in political office.
Hickenlooper said he wanted to find someone outside politics, but it raised the question about whether the pick would be able to assume the role of governor if he resigns before his term ends.
But at the announcement, Hickenlooper said he is not worried: “I think Donna Lynne has the background and the skills to certainly be governor from Day 1.”
