In the aftermath of a Denver Post report concluding that retiring Sen. Wayne Allard and Rep. Tom Tancredo are riding “off into [the] political sunset,” politicos are now questioning whether leaving Congress will bring the end on the political careers of these two public servants.
Since announcing his retirement, Allard has expressed interest in the chancellorship of Colorado State University, suggesting that he may continue in the footsteps of retired Sen. Hank Brown, who Allard succeeded in the U.S. House and Senate. After leaving office, Brown remained an influential figure in Colorado politics with his post-Senate career including stints as president of the University of Northern Colorado from 1998 to 2002 and president of the University of Colorado from 2005 to 2008.
But political analyst Eric Sondermann said Allard maintained a “low-key” presence in Washington D.C. and doesn't expect he'll do much after he leaves Washington this month. “My gut tells me that Wayne Allard would be fine to have his political career be over,” he said.
Tancredo, on the other hand, is a different story. “I think Tancredo is intrigued by staying in the game,” Sondermann added.
During his time in D.C., Tancredo became a leader on immigration reform. And despite his short-lived bid for president earlier this year, Tancredo is already weighing a run for governor in 2010.
Tancredo is not the only Republican eying the governor's office. After supporting multiple unpopular tax increases and mismanaging the state’s budget, Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter has seen his popularity plummet. The target on his forehead grows bigger with every gaffe, so it is no surprise to see a long list of Republicans itching to challenge him.
While Tancredo is far from having the Republican nomination for governor locked up, we predict he'll continue to be a rabble-rouser in Colorado politics.