COLORADO POLITICS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN: Bill Ritter Dropping Re-Election Bid

by RMR | 11:20 pm, January 5, 2010 | Comments Off

As has now been reported by multiple sources, Gov. Bill Ritter is scrapping his campaign for reelection.

The sudden nature of this makes it clear that fundraising was not an issue. Political Wire reports that his campaign staff was sent home in the middle of the day. This should seem obvious, even if Ritter's fundraising had dropped substansially he still has a large warchest and would be calling the DGA begging for money instead of dropping out.

At this stage, there are really only two logical possibilites given the sudden nature of this. The first is that Ritter is involved in some sort of major political scandal that would make it impossible for him to win against a Republican. The second is that Ritter or an immediate family member is facing a life-threatening medical crisis. Ritter is slated for a press conference tomorrow at 11AM to announce he is dropping his campaign and this should give some hints, if not the reason itself, as to why Ritter is doing this.

Who Might Run?

As we reported in February of last year, Ken Salazar was rumored to be looking at running for Governor in 2014 even as he was beginning his tenure as Secretary of the Interior. This apparent ambition, along with his established fundraising base from his Senatorial campaigns and close proximity to Washington-based Democrats who will be searching for a candidate make Ken Salazar the most likely choice to replace Ritter.

Treasurer Cary Kennedy has faced her own problems in her race for reelection to that office, but still stands as the only Democrat in the state with a state committee with enough to act as seed money. While the amount that would transfer over from her current race would still be dwarfed by Scott McInnis' cash-on-hand, she at least wouldn't be starting from zero and she is on good terms with Democratic donors in the state.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter is being reported by some media outlets as a potential replacement and is a more remote possibility than Kennedy or Salazar. Perlmutter's main strength is that he is one of a handful of Democrats left who could potentially raise enough cash to challenge McInnis and is not involved in another race.

Who Won't Run?

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien is unlikely to run for the office in 2010, though if Ritter resigns his office on the spot tomorrow she may serve out the remainder of his term as Governor. O'Brien was rumored to be looking to switch jobs earlier in the year so running for Governor may not be part of her plans.

Who Might Be In Trouble?

Bill Ritter's departure could also cause problems for Sen. Michael Bennet as he loses his main Democratic ally and advocate. Expect Andrew Romanoff's insurgent primary challenge to gain some new life amid Ritter's chaotic departure and his subsequent absense.

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