Tough call for lawmaker

Fitz-Gerald eyes run for Congress, keeping state job

April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, September 29, 2007

To yield the gavel or to wield the gavel - that is the question for Joan Fitz-Gerald.

The feisty president of the Colorado Senate last year announced she's running for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

But now, some supporters think she should resign as Senate president, questioning whether she can do both jobs.

They're afraid she'll become mired in the day-to-day politics of running the Senate and say she'll need all the energy she can muster to beat back two formidable opponents.

Fitz-Gerald has yet to say whether she'll step aside when the 2008 session convenes in January.

"She's in a tough Democratic primary," said Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver. "The person who wins the primary is the one who has more fire in their belly.

"Joan has fire in belly, but by January she has to be laser focused on her race."

Fitz-Gerald faces conservationist Will Shakfroth and millionaire entrepreneur Jared Polis. So far, Fitz-Gerald has trailed her Democratic primary opponents in fundraising.

The 2nd Congressional District, which is heavily Democratic, includes Boulder and several mountain counties. Democratic incumbent Mark Udall is running for the Senate.

By most accounts, the primary will likely determine the outcome of the November 2008 election.

Fitz-Gerald said Friday that she won't make a decision on whether to step down until after the Oct. 15 campaign finance reports are posted.

Then, she'll have a better sense of what more needs to be done to mount an effective campaign.

"I want to do what's best for the Senate and my caucus," she added. " I have a lot of people who want me to win. I have to take care of the race as well."

Waiting in the wings to take her place is Senate President Pro Tem Peter Groff, D-Denver. Groff took over primary responsibilities of managing the state senate this summer.

Still, Fitz-Gerald's campaign gains politically from her leadership post, including media attention and widespread name recognition.

But if Fitz-Gerald's focus and time are elsewhere, she runs the risk of antagonizing fellow Senate Democrats whose support she'll need to win the primary, said political analyst Eric Sondermann.

"Any benefits . . . to Joan by virtue of being Senate president, she's already picked up," he said. "Part of politics is knowing when to leave."

But running for Congress while serving in the state legislature can be done, as Doug Lamborn proved in 2006.

The Republican state senator from Colorado Springs beat five primary challengers in the 5th Congressional District and went on to win in November.

The same for Democrat John Salazar, who was a state representative from Manassa in 2004 when he ran for Congress in the 3rd District. He won, although the district favors Republicans.

washingtonam@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5086