Owens cold to '08 Senate run, backs Allard rerun

Rocky Mountain News

Published December 8, 2006 at midnight

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Gov. Bill Owens told a Denver television station on Thursday that he is not interested in running for a U.S. Senate seat in 2008 and hopes that Republican Wayne Allard seeks re-election.

Allard is expected to announce whether he will run again early next year. Owens has been widely mentioned as a possible candidate if Allard decides not to seek re-election.

But the governor, who will leave office Jan. 9, told 9News that while the speculation is flattering, a Senate campaign is not something he is interested in.

"It's not something that I'm looking at," Owens told 9News.

"I've really enjoyed every day that I've been governor, but I also am really looking forward to what comes next. In my case, I'm going to be doing some international business, going to be putting some kids through college."

Owens said he is weighing several opportunities in the private sector, and said he expects to make a decision in the near future.

The governor, who has also served as a state representative, state senator and state treasurer, said he feels it is time to return to the private sector and a more private life after 24 years in public office.

Owens said a successful Allard re-election campaign would be the best scenario for Colorado because it would retain the incumbent's seniority and experience on Capitol Hill.

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