It looks like we were wrong on this one. Earlier this week we had heard that Congressman Joel Hefley was leaning towards endorsing Marc Holtzman for governor, but he must not have been leaning that far. Congressman Bob Beauprez announced today that Hefley has endorsed his candidacy for governor. From the press release:
"I'm disappointed to see Bob leave Congress because he has done a fine job and I enjoy serving with him," said Congressman Hefley. "However, he has the background, experience and ability to win the election and to be a first-rate governor."
"It's incredibly encouraging to see the Party coming together," said Beauprez. "I'm humbled by the confidence of Congressman Hefley and I'm working day and night to make sure I earn the Republican nomination. I'm in this race for the long haul and not taking anything for granted."
This is a good pickup for Beauprez, more because it prevents Holtzman from getting the endorsement than anything else. If Holtzman had picked up Hefley, it would have been a big help amongst the party faithful in El Paso County.
This also comes as something of a surprise, because by most accounts Beauprez didn't do much to help Hefley earlier this year when the latter was removed from his post in the House Ethics Committee. Hefley's endorsement speaks more about how he feels about Holtzman than how he feels about Beauprez.
This comes on the heels of rumors that Hefley will actually resign before the November Election (like, within five months.)
But whether Hefley stays in his seat to the end or not - this is really just puff.
Posted by: thinkin | June 29, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Poor Marc. Always the bridesmaid. . .
Wouldn't be quite as painful if you hadn't tried to convince everyone last week that Hefley was solidly in the Holtzman camp.
Posted by: dan | June 29, 2005 at 11:39 PM
When Hefley resigns, I wonder who will take his seat? Maybe Holtzman should give it a go?
Posted by: _ | June 29, 2005 at 11:51 PM
So I guess you guys were dead wrong on this one. And when are you going to get off this infatuation with the "kicked out" of committee post thing? In two years when about a dozen other committee top dogs are "kicked out" (cause they too will be term limited) will you try to create a controversy then too?
Posted by: thinkin | June 30, 2005 at 05:31 AM
"Hefley's endorsement speaks more about how he feels about Holtzman than how he feels about Beauprez."
So you get the story totally wrong in the first place, and then you come up with this whopper!?!?! And how, Great Pols Soothsayer, do you know this is about Hefley? It certainly isn't based on what Hefley actually says. Please answer Pols.
Here's my guess: this site is funded and operated by Democrat activists who are scared to death of Beauprez. They should be.
And thinkin' is dead on. Hefley was flippin' term limited as chairman of ethics. Period. Enough martyrdom already.
Posted by: jlp | June 30, 2005 at 07:30 AM
Hefley was term limited under house rules, and it is a rare exception to get a waiver from House Leadership to overcome the rule.
Posted by: Spamlet | June 30, 2005 at 08:47 AM
This website has continued to get it wrong on Hefley.
Posted by: Bob | June 30, 2005 at 11:18 AM
Col Pols was wrong about something in the BB/MH race? I'm shocked. ;-)
A nice statement from Congressmen Hefley and the first of many endorsements for BB.
Posted by: candyraver | June 30, 2005 at 11:23 AM
That is because one of the bloggers on this site works for one of the candidates!
Posted by: Wrongwrongwrong | June 30, 2005 at 11:36 AM
That is because one of the bloggers on this site works for one of the candidates!
Posted by: Wrongwrongwrong | June 30, 2005 at 11:36 AM
So Col Pols got one wrong. Big deals. How many mistakes did everyone else make last week---10-20-30? Nobody's perfect, especially political gossip bloggers. Almost as important as the question of who some congressman wants for governor, one of the weakest elected posts in the state.
The nomination will go to the strongest candidate, regardless of endorsements and funding, which are important, but not the end all and be all some would have you think they are.
BB will be at the Arapahoe Republican Men's Club 7 a.m., next Wed. Will be interesting to see and hear how he does.
Posted by: Donald E. L. Johnson | June 30, 2005 at 11:56 AM
There's a reason Hefley endorsed Bob. Because Marc is unproven and his constant self-agrandizement (and white lies) wears thin on the seasoned pol veterans like Hefley.
Posted by: I'm for Bob | June 30, 2005 at 01:07 PM
Congrats to Mr. Beauprez! In a Republican primary, Rep. Hefley's endorsement is worth far more than cash money.
The real question is where did the Pols get their "scoop" that Hefley would endorse Holtzman? Maybe Holtzman just made it up? Wouldn't be the first time.
Are the dead govs really democrats? We'll find out the next time they update the Governor Line...
Posted by: Defero Veritas | June 30, 2005 at 02:09 PM