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Pena withdraws name to succeed Salazar

Rocky Mountain News

Published December 20, 2008 at 9:25 a.m.

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Former Denver mayor Federico Pena says he is not interested in Ken Salazar's seat in the U.S. Senate.

Photo by Judy DeHaas © The Rocky

Former Denver mayor Federico Pena says he is not interested in Ken Salazar's seat in the U.S. Senate.

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Former Denver mayor Federico Pena has withdrawn his name from the list of possible candidates to succeed Sen. Ken Salazar.

Salazar was named this week by President-elect Barack Obama as his secretary of the Interior. Pena was one of the people listed as possible successors to Salazar. Gov. Bill Ritter will name the person to conclude Salazar's term.

"Many names, including mine, have been mentioned as possible candidates to fill the United States Senate seat being vacated by my friend Ken Salazar. I am enormously proud that Ken has been appointed to serve as our nation’s next Interior Secretary, a position I am certain he will carry out with distinction," Pena said in a news release Saturday morning.

"I have, however, advised Gov. Ritter that I do not wish to be considered as a candidate for the critical Colorado United States Senate position. It is my desire to remain in Colorado and to continue to advise and assist President-Elect Obama in any way I can from my home in Denver. I wish to thank the many friends and supporters who have expressed their support for my candidacy."

Other candidates for Salazar's seat include Henry Solano, former U.S. attorney for Colorado; U.S Rep. John Salazar, Ken Salazar's brother; House Speaker Andrew Romanoff of Denver, state Treasurer Cary Kennedy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, state Senate President Peter Groff and U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter and Diana DeGette.

Comments

  • December 20, 2008

    9:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    acm writes:

    Please don't choose DeGette. Her constituents overwhelmingly pleaded with her not to vote for the bailout of the financial industry, and not only does she go against their will, she brags about it on local talk radio. If she wont execute the will of her constituents as a representative, why should we elevate her to the position of a senator?

  • December 20, 2008

    11:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    oceanview78382 writes:

    acm- she has made 1000's of votes and you can't agree with all of them - yet she has gotten re-elected. The bailout if a tough issue- I have three graduate degrees and the economic implications are certainly not easy for me - maybe you have all the answers.

    I'm not sure how I would have voted on that bailout, but I do know this.

    Banks got a break yet they aren't passing it on to people- we need those low-interest loans.

    CEO's should have been limited to say $2 million per year or at least anything over that should have been taxed at 90%. If they can't live on that - I won't feel too sorry for them. DeGette has been a good representative. Be honest ACM did you vote for her in the past and now just because of this - you won't? I don't think so.

  • December 20, 2008

    11:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Who_Me writes:

    Heck, I'll withdraw too.

  • December 20, 2008

    11:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    Of the choices, Pena was by the far the best. His experience and base of knowledge would make him excellent for the state and a leader in the Senate. Imagine a great leader, replacing Reid. DeGette is the logical choice at this point and a very disappointing one.

    Oceanview
    As one with only a body temperature measured in degrees, I'd like to know where you think we're going to get the revenues to service all this debt?

  • December 20, 2008

    12:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    acm writes:

    oceanview78382: I only have one graduate degree, so take my opinions with a grain of salt. I just recently moved to her district so I can tell you I've never voted for or against her before this election. However, I can also tell you I voted for Kerry and Obama, so I'm not as right leaning as you'd like to believe. And no I'm not happy with Obama's vote on the bailout either, but his opponents voted the same - so what can you do?

    I maintain the financial bailout vote was particularly important b/c it produced far and away the largest constituent feedback in her career. According to Degette herself, her phones were ringing off the hook against it. So for her to vote for the bailout speaks volumes.

  • December 20, 2008

    1:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LesterGovernment writes:

    Good thing oceanview doesn't have a Phd. His/her ability to understand basic economics is already impaired enough!

  • December 20, 2008

    2:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MileHighPatriot writes:

    oceanview... easy for you to say that about the rich... just tax them an unbelievable amount... i'm sure you'd be happy to give up that money

    i'd choose Pena over DeGette.

  • December 20, 2008

    2:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    SFCPAUL writes:

    If he got in others would be suffering from Pena envy.

  • December 20, 2008

    10:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Vector049 writes:

    sounds like lots of skeletons in the closet.

  • December 21, 2008

    1:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ManginoTorreta writes:

    Clearly this list is incomplete--is there not a Kennedy available to take the spot?

  • December 21, 2008

    9:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Denverboy1 writes:

    Jimminy.....
    So only People from Mexico are corrupt ? I guess then all other people are clean as whistle..Hummm...Intresting point of view..I guess that gets the Illinois Machine off the hook... very well thought out....and fair point of view...I think Pena is enjoying being away from Washington at his home here in Colorado...Just glance outside and one can see why...He's done his Washington time. He honors our state by choosing to stay ...
    As far as corruption is the topic you should read more on Colorado's History...Pena did not lead the way...but perhaps you just like.....White Corruption...some how it seems more...clean to you.....

  • December 21, 2008

    9:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    coarizona writes:

    Political trend is now to sell seats. Put it on E-bay Auction. I want to bid.

  • December 21, 2008

    9:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jacka writes:

    Dirty birds

  • December 21, 2008

    12:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ImissColo writes:

    I disagree with any statements that bash Pena because he is of Mexican descent. He is a legal American citizen and is entitled to be referred to in that manner only, no matter where his forefathers came from. What I don't like is that he was a self-dealer because of his financial gain in building DIA in the boonies. Had he not had so much to gain, would he have promoted that horrible location, maybe, but not likely. His other not so stellary statement when he was Mayor was when we had a horrible snowstorm he said he wasn't sending the snowplows out because "God can take it away",was memorable.
    Pena would not be a good Senator for CO based on his past self-dealing, but even I would be better than Harry Reid! Harry needs to go back to Searchlight, NV. and stay there.
    Good luck with whoever Ritter selects, it isn't really going to make much difference in the end because "the power" overtakes polititians any sense of "service of the people" is long forgotten. To bad the people don;t get to vote on who is chosen for this seat, Ritter is all about gain as well. Heck, maybe he will appoint (anoint) himself. What a narcissist he is!!!!!