Colonel serving in Iraq eyes Tancredo's post

Candidacy would throw Coffman a curve

Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, November 10, 2007

State Sen. Steve Ward will join the crowded field running for retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo's seat, he said in a phone interview Friday from Iraq.

"I definitely want to be a candidate, certainly," Ward said from Fallujah, where he is serving as a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. "I make no bones about that."

The 20-year Marine's candidacy would throw a wrench into Secretary of State Mike Coffman's rationale for leaving his post to seek the office, against his party's wishes.

Coffman, who served in the first Gulf War as well as in Iraq last year, has said he felt compelled to run because Republicans need an Iraq war veteran in Congress.

Ward said his more than 20 years of military experience will make him an attractive candidate.

"That's one of the things I would bring to the table were I to be elected to Congress and a major differentiating factor between me and anyone else who's running," the Littleton Republican said.

State GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams is among those who have tried to talk Coffman out of giving up his seat as secretary of state to run for Congress. If Coffman wins, Gov. Bill Ritter likely would appoint a fellow Democrat to take over as secretary of state.

"I remain deeply concerned about turning that office over to someone who wouldn't be nearly as good," Wadhams said.

Told Friday of Ward's desire to run, Coffman said Ward is "a dear friend, and I appreciate his service."

"I like the idea of another Iraq vet running because we desperately need one in Congress," Coffman said.

But he said Ward will have too much difficulty trying to catch other candidates when he returns from Iraq in January.

Ward, a former mayor of Glendale and Arapahoe County commissioner, was appointed to Senate District 26 in December. He would be up for re-election in 2008 if he chose to pursue it.

At least three other Republicans have expressed interest in running for the seat: businessman Wil Armstrong, son of former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong; and state Sens. Ted Harvey, of Highlands Ranch, and Tom Wiens, of Castle Rock.

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

bargec@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5059