Ken Buck takes immigration dispute to the New York Times

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck appeared in Tuesday's edition of The New York Times in an article covering an ongoing immigration and identify theft dispute in Greeley. While Buck wasn't the main feature in the story, we can't help but wonder if the national media spotlight will build his credibility for his speculated 2010 4th Congressional District bid.

BuckFTS File Photo

Up until a recent announcement by Attorney General John Suthers that he will seek re-election to his current post in 2010, Ken Buck, a Republican, had expressed his interest in the position. But Suthers isn't expected to be challenged by his fellow Republicans, meaning Buck's best bet for a 2010 race would be to challenge Betsy Markey in northern Colorado.

First, however, he'd face a crowded and exception field of GOP contenders, including CU CU Regent Tom Lucero, who already filed his paperwork last year, as well as state Rep. Cory Gardner of Yuma, who has expressed interest in the seat. In addition, Fort Collins residents are working to "Draft Diggs Brown" while the Fort Collins City Councilman finishes a military tour in Africa.

Buck has not officially filed or declared his candidacy, but insiders are speculating he may do so soon. Buck has been a notable critic of illegal immigration in recent years, a position that causes party insiders to hesitate. Marilyn Musgrave, who up until November represented the 4th CD, lost the Republican stronghold seat just two years after becoming the national poster child for the anti-gay marriage movement.

Will illegal immigration, a hot button issue among Republican primary voters, see Buck win a primary but lose a general election?

According to the Times report, "since October, 40 people have been arrested on identity theft or criminal impersonation charges. Sixty-five additional arrest warrants have been issued, and District Attorney Ken Buck said many more would be coming."

But this point, it seems that Buck is taking notes from Musgrave's loss, moderating his message to the Times.

“I don’t care whether they are meth addicts or petty thieves or illegal immigrants,” he told the paper. “What matters most to me is that they are committing felonies through identify theft.

Sounds good to us.