There was a good survey of the candidates from both parties for the open 3rd Congressional District in
today's Denver Post. In a district larger than the State of Florida you would expect a lot of variety in the candidates, and you would be right. Here's a quick and dirty cattle call on the two sides:
Democrats:
- State Rep. John Salazar of Manassa. Lots of name recognition and access to the campaign organization of his brother Ken, the attorney general and likely future governor.
- Grand Junction Mayor John Spehar. If he can get elected mayor as a Democrat in that town, he can compete in the 3rd CD. And maybe a Western Sloper instead of a San Luis Valley resident is what we need.
- Anthony Martinez of Conejos. Man, Conejos County sure produces a lot of Democratic candidates. After two statewide election losses (as a candidate for secretary of state) I just don't see him as a winner.
- The rest.
Republicans:
- Former State Sen. Ken Chlouber of Leadville. You know this is who the national GOP wanted in the race because they tried to gerrymander Lake County into the 3rd. Now Chlouber presumably will have to move into the district. Let one of his primary opponents point out that Chlouber favors gay rights. That will help his campaign in the 3rd District about as much as his position on gun control helped him when he ran against Diana DeGette in the 1st District. Ken Chlouber could win a congressional district composed entirely of bloggers, but in the real world I see him losing.
- Former Dept. of Natural Resources Director Greg Walcher. I hope he gets the nomination because he even pissed off fellow Republicans with his million dollar "consulting contract" to an out of state company when he ran DNR. Plus he kept quiet while his boss, Governor Owens, ran a water bond campaign that was very unpopular on the Western Slope, then tried to claim he was against it the whole time. With his connections to the state Party leadership in Denver, he has a shot. Keep your fingers crossed.
- State Rep. Matt Smith of Grand Junction. As brother in law of the outgoing Rep. Scott McInnis he would be the candidate of continuity. We'll see if McInnis was so popular he can hand pick his successor.
- State Rep. Gregg Rippy of Glenwood Springs. Honestly I don't know anything about him except obviously he has won at least one election already.
- The rest. (Gotta love the guy who advocates "massive tax reform.")
