Rep. Udall plans run to replace Allard
DENVER - Rep. Mark Udall filed paperwork Monday to run for Colorado’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2008, getting the jump on other potential candidates.
Udall, a Democrat, has represented the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Boulder County and many of the state’s ski-resort towns, since 1999. He jumped briefly into the 2004 Senate race but backed out as soon as current Sen. Ken Salazar entered.
Republican Sen. Wayne Allard announced in January that he will not seek a third term, opening up what some congressional watchers say could be the most competitive race in the country.
Although at least three Republicans are eyeing the race, Udall got a head start on them by filing paperwork to form a senatorial campaign committee and by turning in a report showing that he has more than $1.5 million in the bank.
“I’ve been anxious. I’ve been eager to get under way,” Udall said during a media conference call.
“I always talk about climbing mountains,” the 56-year-old former executive director of the Colorado Outward Bound School added. “I’ve always found that preparing for the climb is as important as the climb itself, and that’s what today is all about.”
No Democrat has mentioned a possible primary run against Udall, and the congressman said Monday that he has the full support of party leaders and expects to run unopposed until the general election. That should give him more time to raise what he expects will be the $10 million to $15 million needed to win.
The three Republicans known to be considering running for the seat are former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn.
Rayburn, who moved to Colorado a year ago but still finished third in the 5th Congressional District primary, said he is waiting largely on the decision of Schaffer, who lost the 2004 Republican Senate primary and serves now on the Colorado Board of Education. Schaffer is presumed by many to be the front-runner on the GOP side.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people, and I’ve been in conversation with Bob Schaffer, but I’m waiting for him to see what he wants to do, to some degree,” Rayburn said. “If he doesn’t (run), we’re pretty committed to throwing our hat in the ring.”
CONTACT THE WRITER: (303) 837-0613 or ed.sealover@gazette.com.
