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GOP optimistic should Salazar's House seat open up

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Sen. State Josh Penry is flattered that folks are talking about him as a possible contender if there's a opening in the 3rd Congressional District this spring. But he's not going to spend much time talking about it.

"I think it's unwise to engage in parlor games until we know what happens," said Penry, R- Grand Junction.

If Barack Obama taps Democratic U.S. Rep. John Salazar to be his agriculture secretary, a fierce battle to succeed him is in store.

"I think John Salazar would make an outstanding secretary and I urge President-elect Obama to pick him," GOP chairman Dick Wadhams said with a laugh. Republicans believe they can take back the 3rd District, which Salazar, a San Luis Valley potato farmer, won in 2004.

But Democrats say the results of the November election bode well for them. Democratic U.S. Sen.-elect Mark Udall beat Republican Bob Schaffer by about 12,000 votes in the district, and the Democratic state board of education candidate lost by about 3,000 votes.

The Democrat needs a strong showing in Pueblo to offset the Republican strongholds of Mesa, Delta, Montezuma and Montrose counties, said Denis Berckefeldt the Democratic nominee in 2002.

That's one reason Democrats have asked Pueblo County District Attorney Bill Thiebaut to seek the nomination.

"Right now my obligation is to the citizens of Pueblo," Thiebaut said, "but obviously with the unexpected development, I would look seriously not only at serving our country but also serving our state and nation."

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327