First Dem Enters Colorado Governor's Race

by ohwilleke

Community

(This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday, May. 12, 2005 Thursday, May. 12, 2005 at 1:30:21pm PDT

Bill Ritter, former District Attorney for Denver who stepped down due to term limits, has joined the Democratic side of the race for Governor in Colorado. The election will be held in November 2006.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has denied interest in the Governor's race, despite a strong "Draft Hick" movement. No other candidates have officially entered the fray, although Big Horn Foundation founder and former U.S. Senate candidate Rutt Bridges is expected to join Ritter in the race.

Both Ritter and Bridges are from the moderate wing of the Democratic party. Ritter is a pro-life Catholic Democrat and sure to draw a pro-choice opponent into the race. Bridges said he was "Not your typical Democrat" and complained about the partisanship of the "Democrat" party when he announced in Senate run on Leap Day in 2004.

Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Owens is term limited. U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez (7th CD, Northern Denver suburbs) and University of Denver President Marc Holtzman dominate the Republican side of the race.