Heavy hitters on deck to replace Tancredo

GOP field looks crowded in bid for Tancredo's seat

Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A former state Senate president. The son of a former U.S. senator. The secretary of state. A radio talk show host.

The long list of candidates mentioned as possible successors to Congressman Tom Tancredo reads like a Who's Who of Suburban Republicans and paves the way for what is sure to be a fascinating primary.

One day after Tancredo announced he would not seek a sixth term in Congress, the jockeying began to determine who might replace the nationally known Littleton Republican, who is reviled and revered.

"I assume there will be a spirited primary," Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, said Monday.

"It's kind of a family feud that has to play itself out."

At least four Republicans have expressed an interest in running for the seat: Secretary of State Mike Coffman; businessman Wil Armstrong, son of former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong; and state Sens. Ted Harvey and Tom Wiens.

The 6th Congressional District has never elected a Democrat, and many politicos believe the winner of the GOP primary next year will coast to victory in November.

"It's as Republican as the 1st District (in Denver) is Democratic," Wadhams said.

Nearly 46 percent of the voters in the 6th CD are Republican; 24 percent are Democrats.

But Pat Waak, chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party, said a Democrat does have a chance in an open year, in part because of population shifts.

"I think that's wishful thinking on their part," she said.

The district stretches across parts or all of Park, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties along the metro area's southern boundary.

Coffman on Monday said his 21 years in the military, including two stints in Iraq, could help make him a viable candidate. He pointed out no Republicans in Congress have served in Iraq.

Coffman's possible candidacy rankles some Republicans who note that if he wins, Gov. Bill Ritter would likely appoint a fellow Democrat as secretary of state.

But other Republicans say that shouldn't enter into the decision.

"I hate that we have to play defensive on what might happen when somebody steps up to answer the call," said Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park. "I think Mike Coffman would make a great congressman. He has served his time in the trenches and served Colorado well."

Coffman also served as state treasurer and in the legislature.

If Harvey decides to enter the race it won't affect his Senate seat because it doesn't expire until 2010. But Wiens, whose term ends next year, must decide between re-election and Congress.

"It's gut-check time," Wiens said. "You've got to look at where you can be of greater service, going to Washington or staying in the state Senate. There are compelling arguments for both."

He has planned for a possible congressional candidacy for months and he said he already knows who would handle key campaign jobs.

Armstrong has been talking to party leaders about a run but said he was surprised that Tancredo decided to step down in 2008.

Armstrong and other Republicans praised Tancredo's service and credited him with making immigration a national issue.

"For a Main Street conservative like me, he has been a champion," Armstrong said.

The last time there was an open race in the 6th District was in 1998, when Congressman Dan Schaefer retired after 16 years.

Tancredo beat four former or current lawmakers to win the GOP nomination by some 1,300 votes. He handily defeated Democrat Henry Strauss in November.

Tancredo's successor

Some of the Republicans mentioned as possible contenders to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo in the 6th Congressional District:

CONSIDERING IT

• Businesman Wil Armstrong: "I am certainly thinking seriously about it. Sometime very soon I am going to make a decision."

• Secretary of State Mike Coffman: "I feel an obligation to this country and to those who have sacrificed so much to consider running."

• State Sen. Ted Harvey: "We are strongly considering it. We are talking about it as a family."

• State Sen. Tom Wiens: "I've done a lot of work on it, talked to a lot of people. I'll have an announcement before Thanksgiving."

NOT RUNNING

• Former state Senate President John Andrews: "I made my mind up some time ago that this wouldn't be for me, even if it opened up."

• State Rep. David Balmer: "I am definitely not running."

• Attorney and talk-show host Dan Caplis: "Right now I'm focused on the 2010 U.S. Senate race and (taking on Ken Salazar.) "

• Former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton: "I'm really enjoying doing what I'm doing." (executive director of the Denver Police Foundation)

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327