The major fiasco that, Monday night, was an attempt to oust Colorado State Republican Party Chairman Steve House has forced Colorado's Attorney General, Cynthia Coffman (R, wife of CO-06 Republican Rep. Mike Coffman) to declare she is not in the running for Republican US Senate candidate.
Whether she was going to run or not, the scandal surrounding the coup attempt has put a lot of pressure on AG Coffman to reveal many things - not the least of which is whether she was in or out of the US Senate race against Democratic US Senator Michael Bennet next year. Any chance she had of running that race is, right now, out the window.
Many in the party are - privately and publicly - calling for an explanation from Coffman, former Rep. Tom Tancredo and Pueblo County party chair Becky Mizel.
More after the orange twizzle.
Former party chairs Ryan Call (ousted by Steve House) and Dick Wadhams are among those warning that this is deeply hurting the party's reputation. Colorado Pols quotes a Politico Pro article saying:
“Right now, the Colorado GOP is looking more like a third-world backwater, and if it continues then folks are going to find a way to cut them out of the picture,” a Colorado GOP operative said…
Several sources have now indicated that this might rise to the level of extortion under Colorado statute - though what proof might exist of the attempt, no-one knows.
Roll Call is reporting that there have long been rumors of hardball tactics coming from the Coffman family - both Cynthia and Mike - so Rep. Coffman's reputation (and possible involvement) are now being dragged into the story as well.
In the meantime, Tancredo says that "many Republicans in the legislature are behind the attempt". Chairwoman Mizel says that now that House has declined their "offer", their allegations will be brought before the State Party Executive Committee, which will refer a recommendation to the Central Committee. Supposedly this is happening next week.
Come to Colorado - home to the real life House of Cards.
1:41 PM PT: For background on the situation, see my diary from Tuesday: http://www.dailykos.com/...