As Election Day approaches the Capitol rumor mill is churning at twice its normal rate, and we are working overtime just to keep up.
The biggest topics of speculation: Who will be Colorado’s next Secretary of State? Who will take over for term-limited leadership in the General Assembly? And most exciting, of course, the secret political dealings behind this year’s ballot initiatives.
By Andrew Ripemoff
With their candidate ascending into the heavens, the DNC concluded religious services last week. The Greek Temple has been dismantled. The temporary holding cells have been moved. Mark Warner’s speech is almost over.
If Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman prevails in his November bid to replace retiring Congressman Tom Tancredo, as he's expected to do, Gov. Bill Ritter will have the opportunity to appoint Coffman's replacement. Speculation has long prevailed that Ritter would pick Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, but an insider speaking off the record to Face The State now says that Ritter's selection of House Speaker Andrew Romanoff is a "done deal."
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's recent win of the Republican Nomination in the 6th Congressional District opens the door for Gov. Bill Ritter to nominate a Democrat to take the state elections post should Coffman win the general election. Some GOP activists aren't happy with that scenario and are pushing for Coffman to resign, forcing an election this November. More >
If he resigns his post within the next 12 days, Secretary of State Mike Coffman has a chance to save his statewide office from being taken over by a Democrat appointee. But there is disagreement among Republicans about whether or not he should step down.
Face The State's Kate Melvin joins FTS managing editor Brad Jones for a look at the week that was in Colorado news, including a recap of winners and losers in this week's party primaries. More >
With just a few weeks left until Republicans in Colorado's 6th Congressional District name their pick to replace the retiring Tom Tancredo, candidate Wil Armstrong has garnered the sought after support of former Senate President John Andrews. With Armstrong locked in a four-way primary, the move by Andrews could translate into crucial votes on August 12th's primary day.
Face The State evaluates nine State Senate races that will help determine the balance of power in the Colorado General Assembly in 2009.
