Yanqui Mike's 2008 House and Senate Races!: COLORADO

The Senate:...
Democratic Candidate: Mark Udall
Republican Candidate: Tom Tancredo

Senate Retirements:
Wayne Allard (R)

The House:...

Colorado's 2nd congressional district: With the retirement of Senator Wayne Allard, popular incumbent Mark Udall (D) will run for Senate, which will leave an open seat in this district. However, Democrats hold a strong edge in this district (John Kerry won 59% here, CPVI=D+8), as it is centered around heavily Democratic Boulder. Announced candidates include state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, Colorado Conservation Trust Director Will Shafroth, and businessman Jared Polis. Among Republicans, former Eagle County Commissioner Tom Stone is a possible candidate. Boulder Mayor Mark Ruzzin may choose to run as the Green Party candidate. Internet Businessman Bill Hammons is also running as the Unity Party candidate^[33].

Colorado's 3rd congressional district: Incumbent John Salazar (D) could face a tough reelection race this year. The district leans Republican and George W. Bush received 55% of the vote here in 2004 (CPVI=R+4). Salazar defeated Republican Scott Tipton in the Democratic landslide in 2006. Delta County Commissioner Wayne Wolf (R) dropped his bid for the U.S. Senate and has decided to run for the Republican nomination to face Salazar, although he faces an uphill battle.^[34]

Colorado's 4th congressional district: Conservative Marilyn Musgrave (R), known for her staunch opposition to gay marriage, won only after winning a plurality (46%) of the vote against Angie Paccione (D) and a strong Reform Party challenge from Eric Eidsness, who got 11% of the vote. That, along with her 51% showing in 2004 despite George W. Bush winning 58% of the vote in this eastern Colorado district that includes the Fort Collins area (CPVI=R+9), could make her vulnerable in 2008. Democrats suffered a setback when state Sen. Brandon Schaffer dropped out, citing his party's failure to clear the field. The only declared Democratic candidate is Betsy Markey, businesswoman and regional director for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar ^[35]. Also, Eidsness recently switched again (life-long Republican to Reform Party last year) and became a Democrat, which could have fueled a potential rematch with Musgrave in 2008 but he announced he would not run. 2006 nominee Angie Paccione briefly launched a campaign as well, but left the race in September 2007.

Colorado's 5th congressional district: Freshman Doug Lamborn (R) could face a primary challenge from a more moderate Republican with similarities to the district's previous representative, Joel Hefley. Lamborn narrowly won a nasty multi-candidate primary in 2006 and despite worries of vulnerability (Hefley did not endorse Lamborn citing his "sleazy" campaign), still won by a 59% to 41% margin, less than normal for a Republican in that area, but still comfortable. The district is based in heavily Republican Colorado Springs (CPVI=R+16). Jeff Crank, who (in 2006) very narrowly lost the GOP primary to Lamborn despite Hefley's endorsement, might challenge Lamborn in the 2008 primary for this seat. Recently, Lamborn got bad press when two constituents accused him of making a threatening phone call in response to a critical letter they wrote^[36]. In early October 2007, retired Major General Bentley Rayburn, who finished third place in the 2006 Republican primary, announced that he would also run again in 2008^[37]. Independent Rich Hand is also running^[38].

Colorado's 6th congressional district: This seat will become open in 2008 as Tom Tancredo (R) is retiring to run for president. The district includes suburbs of Denver. However, Tancredo's seat is considered to be the most Republican-dominated district of the Denver-area seats (CPVI=R+10) (and also one of the wealthiest in the nation). Tancredo was the second highest vote getter for a Republican congressional candidate statewide (59%-40%) in 2006, just behind Doug Lamborn in the 5th district. The district includes Columbine High School, which was devastated in a tragic 1999 school massacre, although Democratic attempts to target him on his outspoken views on gun rights in the 2000 election came up short (he prevailed 53% to 44%). Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman (R) and businessman Will Armstrong have announced their candidacy. Other Republican candidates include state Sen. Ted Harvey, state Sen. Tom Wiens, and possibly state House Minority Leader David Balmer and former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton.

Colorado's 7th congressional district: Freshmen Ed Perlmutter (D) won 55% of the vote in this suburban Denver district that narrowly went to John Kerry with 52% in 2004 (CPVI=D+2). The district's voter registration is split, with independents constituting a slim plurality of 35% compared to Democrats (34%) and Republicans (31%). In spite of the marginal nature of the district, no Republican has announced yet.

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