Ritter prepares to replace Coffman
By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 12, 2008 at 10:33 p.m.
Gov. Bill Ritter is poised to appoint a new secretary of state — no doubt a fellow Democrat.
Republican Secretary of State Mike Coffman won the 6th Congressional District primary. As the district is heavily Republican, Coffman is expected to win the seat in November.
Among the names often mentioned as possible appointees to the $68,500-a-year-post are House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon. Both Democrats are term limited.
Others believe Ritter will bypass the pair because they are from Denver. Ritter, his lieutenant governor, Barbara O'Brien, and the state treasuer, Democrat Cary Kennedy, all live in Denver.
Former Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, who lost her 2nd Congressional District bid, also is expected to be in the mix. She served as Jefferson County's first female clerk and recorder.
Evan Dreyer, the governor's spokesman, said Ritter would give the appointment "careful consideration" if Coffman wins in November.
"There's no hurry, so he'll take some time and make a thoughtful decision," Dreyer said.
Governors traditionally appoint their own party to fill vacancies. Ritter's predecessor, GOP Gov. Bill Owen, appointed Republicans to every statewide office vacancy, including attorney general.
Post your comment
Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
Featured
-
Legislature Blog
Read live updates from the opening of the 2009 legislative session.
-
Rocky multimedia
The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.
-
Who's next?
Complete coverage of the Broncos' search for a new coach.
-
Rocky year in photos
View an audio slide show of staff selections from 2008.
-
Winter Escapes
Your insider’s guide to the copious joys of the coolest season.
-
Sam Adams' Open Mic
Open Mic: Two-man advantage with Avs
-
Shanahan's career
See photos from Mike Shanahan's career as Broncos coach.
-
12 days of Drew
Look back at the year that has been with Drew Litton.
-
A dream fulfilled
A Rocky Mountain News and MediaStorm production
August 12, 2008
10:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Faux_Noise writes:
Hmmm...
A highly respectable Democrat to appoint to state-wide office? Replacing a Republican, so prefer not to open an elected seat.. Someone biding their time for their next move...
Could it be....
Andrew Romanoff?
August 13, 2008
12:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
NotSoros writes:
Lynn Bartel [sic], it was GOP Gov. Bill "Owens" not "Owen" no wonder you can't get anything straight when talking about Republicans. If you can't even bother to get an 8 year Republican Governors name right, you are clearly not paying attention to anything other than the DNC talking points.
Have a nice day.