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GOP group bypasses Colorado

Governors association may have written off Beauprez campaign

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 10, 2006 at midnight

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The Republican Governors Association is bypassing Colorado in a special get-out-the-vote campaign in key races, leading some pundits to speculate that the RGA has written off GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bob Beauprez.

In a letter to supporters sent Monday, the RGA offered free airfare and lodging to volunteers willing to campaign for Republicans in Iowa, Maine, Oregon, Illinois, Arkansas and Michigan.

"There are just 30 days to go until one of the most important and challenging election days we have ever faced, and several races for governor are going down to the wire," the group wrote in an e-mail to supporters.

"The upcoming midterm elections are critical, and some of our targeted governors' races may end up being the bright spot for Republicans in 2006."

Congressman Beauprez is facing Democrat Bill Ritter in the race for Colorado governor. Ritter has been leading Beauprez by large margins in recent polls, and political observers say GOP officials may be playing the odds.

"It looks like they've made a calculation those other states provide richer opportunities than Colorado," said John Straayer, who teaches political science at Colorado State University. "They may have been looking at the poll numbers. It suggests the political party wants to put their money on a winner and not waste it if they're likely to lose."

Phil Musser, the executive director of the RGA, said his group's decision not to target Beauprez's race was based on Colorado's strict campaign finance laws, which restrict "in-kind" contributions.

"We're big supporters of Bob Beauprez," Musser said. "We're focusing on states where campaign finance laws allow us to have the most impact."

A spokesman for Beauprez said he had received assistance from several governors, including the chairman of the RGA, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"Several of the key Republican governors have been very helpful," John Marshall said.