We've been speculating here for weeks that Congressman Joel Hefley may be planning a surprise move, and it looks like he may be moving in that direction after all.
Hefley is telling a small number of friends and confidants that he plans to retire and make 2006 his final year in Congress, finishing with an even 20 years in the House. He is not thought to be considering another run at political office at this point, but instead will take his hefty pension and call it a career at his home in Colorado.
Hefley's 5th district is solidly conservative, meaning Republicans won't likely have to sweat losing the seat. But if he does retire it will set off a free-for-all Republican primary, with every nearby GOP politician and his mother entering the race.
There was talk that Hefley wasn't yet ready to make his plans public, so his office may issue the standard company line on this one. But it sounds like the man once labeled one of the 10 most obscure members of Congress may be taking his final laps around the capitol.
So, we may see Doug Bruce in Congress. Don't know what to think about that.
Posted by: ohwilleke | February 23, 2005 at 12:58 PM
Bruce would never fly. It'll be an interesting match up between State Senator Doug Lamborn and Chamber of Commerce VP Jeff Crank, former Cheif of Staff to Hefley. I'm sure others will run too but those two are the top contenders. It'll be an interesting race.
Posted by: Ed | February 23, 2005 at 01:16 PM
Bruce may run, but he won't win; remember how Ron May defeated him several years ago. Jeff Crank would make a great candidate, as would Doug Lamborn. Don't rule out Lionel Rivera. Some other names that come to mind for running (but have less chance of winning) are Wayne Williams and Sallie Clark.
Who can you all think of for dark horse candidates? The primary race is going to be intense anyone, except Doug Bruce, really has a chance.
Posted by: Steve | February 23, 2005 at 02:03 PM
Do you think there's any chance we could get Jeff Crank and Bob Bacon to run against each other? You know, just so we can say Crank Bacon over and over.
Posted by: Alva Adams | February 23, 2005 at 02:14 PM
Congressional Candidate Crank Fries Bacon in Debate
Posted by: ed | February 23, 2005 at 02:19 PM
The six degrees of Crank Bacon...
Posted by: Steve | February 23, 2005 at 02:21 PM
Lamborn is a true moron. He is a lousy public speaker and one of the dumber people you could meet. He would be a great, great opponent for any articulate opponent.
Posted by: vbenares | February 23, 2005 at 09:35 PM
Well, appears that vbenares doesn't like Doug Lamborn all that much, doesn't sound like vb's ever met him either.
I still think that he could be a strong candidate, but the field is really wide-open at this point.
Posted by: Steve | February 27, 2005 at 10:59 AM
It would be interesting to hear what Alan Salazar thinks of this race?
Posted by: vbenares | June 26, 2005 at 12:10 PM