Senator Wayne Allard has made it known to colleagues, including Congressman Bob Beauprez, that he plans to run for re-election in 2008. We asked Senator Allard about his plans in last week's Q&A, to which he replied, "I will not make any announcement about my future plans until 2007." The announcement may not be coming until then, but the word is out.
This is a fitting story in advance of today's Q&A with Congressman Mark Udall (see below), who has announced his plans to run for Allard's seat in 2008.
I didn't even see that coming.
Posted by: WOW | June 29, 2005 at 10:06 AM
As soon as Sen. Allard got the appropriations committee slot, his running again was a foregone conclusion.
Posted by: Alfalfa | June 29, 2005 at 10:08 AM
If it was a forgone conclusion that a prime committee seat meant automatic re-election, then we'd have Beauprez running for re-election, as well. We don't.
Posted by: maybe | June 29, 2005 at 10:14 AM
Antoher Republican, another broken term limits pledge.
Posted by: Coloradem | June 29, 2005 at 11:28 AM
So then that's it. Beauprez is really running - regaurdless of how difficult a governors race might become. He wanted to be Senator - now has to wait to go after Ken Salazar - and has decided that being a governor is way more cool than being a congressman.
Posted by: thinkin | June 29, 2005 at 12:46 PM
Awfully early in the cycle to be determining if Colorado is healthy and his services are still needed, isn't it?
I agree with Alfalfa, here; usually, a prime slot like Appropriations is a "stay here, we need you" kind of appointment. Beauprez has the equivalent slot in the House, and I'm sure the NRCC and House leadership want him to hold his seat, but Beauprez decided to aim higher.
There's always the chance that Allard will say "enough is enough" and just bow out in '08, but this rumor, and more pointedly the Appropriations seat point towards his running again against Udall.
Posted by: Phoenix Rising | June 29, 2005 at 01:05 PM
I am not convinced BB is in the gov race to stay yet - keep you eye on it. But to get a seat on approps in the Senate, you have to make a committment that you're running for re-election, or they won't waste it on you.
Posted by: Alfalfa | June 29, 2005 at 05:36 PM
Senator Allard is an incredible public servant - Colorado is lucky to have a man of his caliber representing us in Washington.
I think Udall should seriously rethink his plans - there is no way that anyone is going to beat Wayne Allard the appropriator. Heck, maybe they should get Tom Strickland to run against him again, anyone heard from that 17th Street lawyer-lobbyist recently?
Posted by: allardfan | June 29, 2005 at 11:55 PM
It is clear to me that the Ds that run this site and then post under different names on this site desperately want BB out of the race. Let's be clear, he is running for Gov. He cut the cord in DC, he is raising money for a Gov's race and hiring staff for a run here.
What part of that do you not get or understand? It seems very clear to me.
Posted by: Jake | June 30, 2005 at 08:44 AM
Tom Strickland has been seen -- isn't he jointly managing the McInnis and Ritter for Governor Campaigns?
Posted by: Vladimir | June 30, 2005 at 09:48 AM
Sorry, Jake. I neither run this site nor do I particularly want to see BB out of the race. You're putting motives where they don't exist. It's a long way to November 2006 and a lot of things could change. I think there's going to be some movement of who's in and who's out, that's all.
Posted by: Alfalfa | June 30, 2005 at 10:36 AM
Didn't necessarily mean you. I am sure that there will be changes between now and then, but I wouldn't bet on it being BB getting out of the Gov's race.
Posted by: Jake | June 30, 2005 at 10:44 AM