Line Changes and Additions

We've updated the Line for the first time in a few weeks, and we've added something new: a CD-5 Line. Congressman Joel Hefley hasn't announced his retirement yet, but all indications are that it's coming at some point; the only question now is "When?"

But before we get to that, let's start back at the top...

The Governor Line looks fairly similar to how it looked last week, with Republican Marc Holtzman still leading the charge. The big question of the next two weeks is about fundraising, and who raised what. If Holtzman outraised Congressman Bob Beauprez this quarter, he's still the elephant to beat. Beauprez is getting the big endorsements, but endorsements don't guarantee much.

On the Democratic side, even though more of the mainstream media has finally figured out that Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald might run for governor, the insider buzz on Joan has quieted of late. She still may run, but there's more talk now that she may run for re-election in order to help Democrats hold the legislature instead. Among the announced candidates, Rutt Bridges is pulling futher ahead of former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter as he tours the state. Ritter had better be raising a lot of money, because he isn't doing much else. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is still being discussed, with those talks increasing of late, while Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff has gone invisible.

Moving on to CD-7, we're anxiously awaiting to see the reports from Democrats Ed Perlmutter and Peggy Lamm. The second quarter filing will be a big moment in the Democratic side of this race because Lamm needs EMILYs List if she is going to take the nomination; if she isn't raising enough money to entice miss EMILY, she'll be in trouble. And what about Herb Rubenstein?

What about him?

As for the Republican side in CD-7, Rick O'Donnell still doesn't have an opponent, and he's been quiet in the meantime. There's not much to report on that front.

In the CD-4 Line, Democratic State Rep. Angie Paccione plummets from second place amid word that personal financial troubles will give her a tough race for her own re-election, nevermind congress. Democratic State Rep. Wes McKinley is now the top donkey in this race.

And finally, CD-5. Our inaugural line has State Senator Doug Lamborn on top, but that's with a caveat: Lamborn is the frontrunner in a straight race, but if Hefley leaves early and a vacancy committee appoints his replacement, Chamber of Commerce guy Jeff Crank becomes the leader in the clubhouse. County Commissioner Sallie Clark was just elected in 2004 but is popular, and fellow Commissioner Wayne Williams has had his eye on this seat for years. And finally, TABOR daddy Doug Bruce brings up the rear, but he's angered as many people as he's endeared in the last year. (For more on this race, check out the Colorado Springs Independent's Colorado Pols imitation).

Okay, that's it.

Comments

[Jake]

I am dissapointed that there isn't even a mention about the R side of the race for CD-7.

I think you might be eating crow about that one.

[thinkin]

Maybe time to start one on CD-3, as well.

[Alva Adams]

There's really nothing to talk about on the Republican side in CD-7. O'Donnell has been quiet, and he doesn't have a challenger. There's not much to say.

[brio]

I am dissapointed that there isn't even a mention about the D side of the race for CD-5.

Okay, I didn't mean that.

[hickforgov]

as posted yesterday, more serious consideration must be given that hick will get in the race. why would he be participating in what any reasonable intepretation would define as a campaign style event in steamboat springs if he wasn't trying to build his name id statewide.

driving and antique car as an entrant in the 4th of july parade in steamboat....hmmmm

[tommix]

I am starting to doubt the credibility of your 'line' since you let one article with old news change Paccione from 5 to 9...and Wes M...who hasn't even been willing to announce his intentions to 6...I guess your guess is as good as any, huh? And with all the smear on MM...why isn't BK up to 5?

Well, you never said you were Vegas.

[a]

I think it is a mistake not to include Lionel Rivera as a contender for the 5th CD. Other candidates are Ken Chlouber, who has said that he would run when Hefley retires and Keith King, if he does not get the Harrison School District job.

[Lucius Cicero]

Bill Kaufman will be nothing more than a speed bump on Marilyn Musgraves road to Victory in 2006. He is a lightweight without any support. Bring on Wes or Angie, its doesn't matter, MM will win.

[Alva Adams]

As we said in the post about Paccione, it wasn't the RMN article that dropped her. We have heard separately, as posted, that Paccione's problems have not been cleaned up and Republicans have taken the opportunity to jump on it with proof should she run. What is old news is that she had previous financial problems. What is NEW news, which we posted about, is that there is more than one problem now. That's enough to drop her because it will scare away a lot of Democratic supporters worried about what effect that news might have if she were the nominee.

[b]

Chlouber's not running, and niether is Rivera. "a" can speculate all he wants - but there are only three folks we in EL Paso need to look to: Crank, Lamborn and Williams.