The northwest State Senate 8 race may have primaries in both the Republican and Democratic Parties. As of today, Rep. Al White (R-57) will be looking out for that long ball hit by contender Muhammad Ali Hasan of Eagle County.
Hasan (photo at right) has filed the necessary paperwork to register as a candidate for SD8 with the Secretary of State. However, his formal decision to run won’t be determined until January, according to his campaign press release:
Hasan has decided to move forward in the process to adhere to state campaign laws and to allow for more liberty in exploring his options.
“I have a deep respect for campaign laws,” Hasan said. “Since there is no provision for exploratory committees is Colorado, filing shows everyone I am serious about thoroughly evaluating a possible run. I plan to use the next few months to have conversations with residents and local party leadership before making my final decision.”
Hasan, 27, has been active in Republican politics both in the state and Eagle County, but he has not held office. Hasan owns a business in the Beaver Creek area and he has been a guest political commentator on national media.
White announced (photo at left) last month that he was going to seek the Republican nod and since then, conservative blogs have been trouncing his moderate views.
Democrats Steamboat City Councilman Ken Brenner and Eagle County Commissioner Arn Menconi are both eyeing the SD8 race, as well. Brenner has been touring the district and plans on making his intensions known soon.
Republicans have held the seat for many election cycles, however in 2000 and 2004, Democratic challengers lost by less than a 10% of the vote. Unaffiliated voters at 31,000 number more than Republicans at 29,000 registered voters and Democrats at 19,000.
The 2002 and 2006 SD8 races were targeted by both political parties, but primaries may dampen that interest in 2008.
For a SD8 district map and an in depth analysis of the race, please click here. More on Hasan here.
Watch for more interviews with announced and perspective SD8 candidates coming soon to Colorado Confidential.
Photos by Leslie Robinson
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