The Colorado Springs Independent is weighing in on the upcoming race in CD-5 (apparently everyone knows Hefley is resigning.)
According to the socially liberal, fiscally conservative editorial writer John Hazlehurst:
If what the political wags are saying is true, nine-term Congressman Joel Hefley likely will announce his retirement early in January. To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't officially told anyone yet.
Hazlehurst has also assessed the current line-up of potential congressional candidates…
Of State Senator Doug Lamborn:
State Senator Doug Lamborn has gotta be the early front-runner. He's smart, articulate and relentlessly conservative. Party activists like him, and the kingmakers at Focus and New Life won't oppose him. Put Doug at 3-1.
Also add to the mix the fact that Doug has fostered long and sincere relationships with the Activists and Donors of El Paso County and combine that with the muscle and tactics of a certain Issue Group – well, then Doug’s the perfect candidate.
Of the Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Crank:
(he) wants it soooo bad ... and Hefley, his former boss, may be inclined to help him out. If Joel announces he's leaving, that's gonna make things difficult for potential candidates who are serving in the Colorado legislature. The legislative session starts in mid-January, and legislators can't raise campaign money for the next four months. But even with Hefley's endorsement and a head start, Crank's got a steep hill to climb. He's never held elected office (strike 1), Hefley's out of favor with the party hierarchy (strike 2) and Crank hasn't really paid any dues (strike 3). 7-1.
Though Crank seems to have quite the organization behind him right now, it would be a difficult sell to the El Paso Voters: vote for the guy who everyone knows and brought them the Ronald Reagan Highway (they love that stuff) or the one who has been quietly chipping into the activist base of the Party but who seems to have a job no one quite understands (did if even exist before Crank left Hefley’s office for the private sector?)
The only real wildcard remains County Commissioner Wayne Williams.
Wayne Williams is smooth, amiable, smart and impeccably conservative. He's put in more than his time in the trenches, most recently as party chair. You can bet that he's spent quality personal time with every potential delegate to the County Assembly -- and you can bet that they like him. 3-1.
If Williams decides to NOT run against his friend Lamborn or colleague Crank, the guy Wayne ultimately gets behind may very well be the Republican nominee – because with the support of Williams and the activists he’d bring up – well, that, would be the unified Party El Paso County Republicans are hoping to have after November.
I wish that Joel Hefley would have the decency to announce his decision early enough so that the public servants who serve Colorado in the state legislature could have an honest shot at the position.
Posted by: elpaso | July 04, 2005 at 10:34 PM
Great article. Not too nice on Crank though. Lamborn got way too much positive press in the article. Makes me wonder where the article came from.
Posted by: wondering | July 05, 2005 at 09:44 AM
The article is right. The 5th CD is probably the safest GOP seat in the country, with the potential for an instant national base (with both the social and fiscal conservatives)
In the hands of a more ambitious and able politician, the district could easily produce someone in the house leadership, even a speaker. Or, if they left the House, it could be a great revolving door and build up a Senator and a Governor. It could be the launching base for a future President.
Posted by: jwilliams | July 05, 2005 at 09:53 AM
Sign up for the latest news on the Colorado 5th District, send a subscription e-mail to [email protected]
It's a great monthly resource for folks looking to get the latest news on Colorado Springs politics.
Posted by: co5newsletter | July 05, 2005 at 10:08 AM
Williams doesn't have a prayer. Both Sallie and Lionel are much more dramatic wild cards in this race.
And placing Crank third in the field is a farce, but this is Hazlehurst we're talking about. An insider, he's not.
Posted by: r u joking | July 05, 2005 at 10:21 AM
During the session, I heard the Republican party wanted Cadman, not Lamborn, to run for the 5th. Though Lamborn is clearly the more conservative of the two, Cadman's wife works at Focus on the Family and has inside access and could walk away with the primary.
Posted by: politicalprincess | July 05, 2005 at 11:01 AM
During the session, I heard the Republican party wanted Cadman, not Lamborn, to run for the 5th. Though Lamborn is clearly the more conservative of the two, Cadman's wife works at Focus on the Family and has inside access and could walk away with the primary.
Posted by: politicalprincess | July 05, 2005 at 11:03 AM
"The 5th CD is probably the safest GOP seat in the country"
as a district it is eerily similiar to the MO 7th, home of one John Ashcroft
Posted by: learnedhand | July 05, 2005 at 11:12 AM
no way on Cadman, He is a good guy but there is way too much dirt on him out there, and he knows it.
Posted by: no way | July 05, 2005 at 11:19 AM
With all the dirty laundry on Cadman, about the only way the Rs couldn't win this CD is to nominate Bill.
Its all a moot point. Doug's paid his dues and wants the job. Anyone else who thinks they have a chance is fooling themselves.
Posted by: RunBillRun | July 05, 2005 at 03:31 PM
I have no idea what the dirt on Cadman is, but I know I'd jump at the chance to work for him.
Posted by: Run Bill Run | July 05, 2005 at 03:57 PM
Doug Lamborn is a quality man of high integrity and a hard worker. I live in Larimer county, and it's none of my business, but I'd love to see Doug Lamborn in the US Congress.
Posted by: Steve | July 05, 2005 at 05:46 PM
Are there any dark horse candidates out there, other than Crank, that you've heard anything about? What about General Ritchie? What if Dr. Dobson got personally involved?
Posted by: elpaso | July 05, 2005 at 09:08 PM
Any dark horse candidates you've heard about? What if General Ritchie ran or if Dr. Dobson ran?
I think there are many great candidates. I can see Wayne Williams and Sallie Clark playing important roles in the succession struggle, but the real kingmakers will be the religious right organization and, of course, the Phil Long Dealerships.
Posted by: elpaso | July 05, 2005 at 09:09 PM
Lamborn is a joke. All he cares about is his future, not the people he repesents. For example, why didn't he have I-25 named the Ronald Reagan Highway all the way through Colorado? The R's had the votes in the legislature. Because he wanted the credit with El Paso County voters. It will be a sad day if he wins.
Posted by: a | July 06, 2005 at 08:18 AM
Wow, pretty bitter words there "a".
Why do you suppose everyone else here disagrees with you??
Perhaps because they've met Lamborn. You obviously have not.
You might be a little more believable next time if you insist the pope isn't catholic.
Posted by: Boo Hoo | July 06, 2005 at 04:22 PM
I would like to run for the fifth congressional seat, as you know in today’s Congress; only 26 percent of members have military experience. “Let alone 25 years”
In addition, I do not know it you are aware that eight of the nine Iraq war Vets that are running in 2006 are Democrats and most of those party leaders have recruited and bet you they are giving all of them a great deal of help.
Now do not get me wrong I love the GOP. I just feel that the party does not care or just does not what to take the time to help (but maybe I wrong). I have been volunteering (quietly) over that last 25 years. I do not understand why the GOP does aggressively go after veterans let alone career soldiers like my self. I believe there are only two retied military in the entire 535-member congress, in my humble opinion this is unacceptable. We as party need are not doing nearly enough to attract more veterans to run for office
Posted by: Philip Booker | February 14, 2006 at 10:57 AM