Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak told the Colorado Independent yesterday that ten would-be candidates for governor had been testing the waters for a gubernatorial run in the wake of Gov. Bill Ritter’s announcement last week that he would not seek a second term.
Today, Waak told the Colorado Independent the names of the candidates who have rung her up and knocked on her door.
In addition to the well-known names being batted about for the past week– Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter– Waak said she has heard from state Sen. Morgan Carroll, state House Speaker Terrance Carroll, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and State Senate President Brandon Shaffer.
Waak reiterated that she believed they would all be excellent candidates for governor. “Personally, I am trying to remain neutral while I provide information to potential candidates,” she said. “My main goal is to make sure we keep the Governor’s seat with whomever is the best candidate.”
It is unclear how the list will shake out as the weeks progress.
Fort Collins Coloradoan editor Bob Moore yesterday blogged that Markey spokesman Ben Marter told him the 4th District Representative was not interested in the position.
