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Ritter prepares to replace Coffman

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 12, 2008 at 10:33 p.m.

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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.

Comments

  • 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.