Tag: Federico Pena

Former Denver Mayor and Clinton-era Cabinet official Federico Peña on Saturday narrowed the field of possible candidates to replace Sen. Ken Salazar when the Denver Democrat issued a statement withdrawing his name from consideration. Peña hadn't actively sought the appointment, but his name has been among those discussed as a potential candidate to fill the vacancy created by Salazar's nomination as secretary of the interior on Wednesday.

Tuesday morning, at least a dozen Democrats looked in the mirror and saw the next U.S. senator from Colorado. Trouble is, all but one of them were seeing things. With the announcement the state's senior senator is President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be the next secretary of interior, it falls on Gov. Bill Ritter to name Sen. Ken Salazar's replacement. Within hours of news leaking that Salazar would give up his Senate seat, the names of prominent — and not-so-prominent — Democrats emerged. Some are serious contenders, some would be top picks under different circumstances, and a few, like Academy Award hopefuls, are happy just to be nominated.

Where’s the Colorado beef? The Centennial State delivered victory to Barack Obama, and for weeks tongues have been a’wagging over cabinet appointments. It’s Bill Ritter this, Ken Salazar that, Federico Pena, well duh. (And pssst… Bernie Buescher has made it clear he’s up for just about anything…) But so far for Colorado, nada. But wait! Can it be … John Hickenlooper for Transportation? Or maybe Housing?

The campaign for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is starting to target the three Southwestern swing states of Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico in an Spanish-language advertising drive of “historical” proportions.