Larimer County: Another GOP stronghold moves leftward

Home to the state’s only agricultural university, Rocky Mountain National Park and many ranches, Larimer County has traditionally been a Republican stronghold in Colorado. But, as President George W. Bush’s approval ratings play gutterball, the unpopular war in Iraq continues and the economy continues to rock and roll, Larimer County’s electorate is starting to swing in a moderate direction with upticks in the number of Democrat and unaffiliated voters. That shift is being eyed by strategists and politicos carefully this year as the northern Colorado county could be one of a handful to play a pivotal role in the November election.

Bush appointees politicked for Musgrave on taxpayer dime

When Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave was running a close reelection bid against Democrat Angie Paccione in 2006 all of the big guns from Washington, D.C. came to help her. President Bush made an October campaign appearance with Musgrave in Greeley and the National Republican Congressional Committee helped with television ads blasting Paccione.

Paccione Pulls Out of CD4 Race

Former state representative Angie Paccione announced this morning that she is withdrawing her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Colorado’s fourth congressional district.

Paccione, who narrowly lost in her first bid against incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave in…

Musgrave Rakes in $240K

Perennially challenged Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave sent a clear statement to the fourth district about her seriousness to retain her seat with a preliminary second quarter fundraising report of $243,000.

According to campaign spokesman Jason Thielman, 1600 donors supported her…

Show Me the (Q2) Money – Part II

The second quarter fundraising period ends on Saturday, and now that Colorado has a larger slate of candidates, it’s worth taking a look at the money expectations (click here for the first part of this series).

Kernels of Truth: Markey, Benefield and State House ’08

It’s time for another bowl of “Kernels of Truth.”  Here’s what’s popping this week:

Poll Shows Shaffer Beats Musgrave

State Senator Brandon Shaffer has decided to run for congress in CD-4,  As Colorado Confidential first reported  on Monday, and according to a poll conducted last week, he would beat incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave in a head-to-head matchup.…

Brandon Shaffer Will Run in CD-4

State Sen. Brandon Shaffer told Colorado Confidential today that he will run for congress in the fourth congressional district.

“I’m going to take steps to set up an exploratory committee in the next couple of days and start…

Paccione Files Statement of Candidacy

Democrat Angie Paccione, who narrowly lost her bid for congress in CD-4 against Marilyn Musgrave in 2006, has formally filed her statement of candidacy to run again in 2008.

With many other Democrats looking at running in…

Kernels of Truth

Welcome to the inaugural edition of “Kernels of Truth,” where I will attempt to disseminate the political news and gossip of Colorado. Much of what you will read here could be considered gossip, but it is “sourced” gossip, which…