Colorado rejoices as Governor Bill Ritter will announce he will not seek reelection.

Good morning – and I do mean GOOD morning.  Colorado is waking up to the news that Governor Bill Ritter will not seek reelection and that is putting wide smiles on many folks’ faces today.  Governor “Never Met a Committee I Didn’t Like” Ritter told his staff yesterday of the decision and will hold a press conference later this morning. 

Ritter’s prospects for reelection were fading like a Colorado sunset long before this news.  Over his term the economy has tanked and he has shown he is unwilling to make the big decisions – at least not without appointing a ‘Blue Ribbon Panel’ to help him make them. 

Why Ritter is making this surprising move is unknown.  No matter what he says at the press conference today, there are likely unspoken reasons behind the decision.  According to the Denver Post, “Ritter told other Democrats the job was taking a toll on his family and he could not be successful as a father and husband while running for governor.”

Certainly his track record as Denver District Attorney was not as stellar as he portrayed – facts of which came out after he was elected.  His office also recently came under a great deal of scrutiny with the failed nomination of Stephanie Villafuerte as U.S. Attorney for Colorado.  Rumors of an affair between Ritter and Villafuerte have been whispered in the halls of power for years. 

Colorado, despite the contentions of those on the left, is a center-right state.  Always has been and likely always will be.  Citizens have grown increasingly disenchanted with the actions of a leftist governor and state legislature.  Businesses have begun to flee the state amid what has certainly become a less business-friendly environment under Democratic leadership.  The state’s finances are a wreck, a liberal agenda is continually being pursued at the capital, and people have had enough. 

The governor’s race certainly is a lot more interesting this morning. 

Speculation as to who will fill Ritter’s shoes is high with a half dozen names or more being thrown out.  Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, former state legislator Andrew Romanoff, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter have all been mentioned.  The Denver Post even mentioned Congressman Jared Polis.  While he has the deep pockets to run, he would not seem to have much statewide appeal. 

Hickenlooper and Salazar would be the leading candidates for the Democrats should one of them choose to run.  While the mayor may be popular in Denver, those in the suburbs and the rest of the state are much less enamored with him.  Salazar has won statewide office before as U.S. Senator but it is unknown if he would be willing to leave Washington D.C.

For Republicans, the choice has come down to former congressman Scott McInnis and businessman Dan Maes.  McInnis is the clear frontrunner for the nomination but many conservatives are less than thrilled with him.  He has continually blown off conservative causes and groups since he announced and his credentials are not near as ‘right’ as many would like.

Other views of the news:

• Ross Putin – Ritter not to seek reelection as CO governor. Let the games begin.
• Rocky Mountain Right – Colorado Politics Turned Upside down: Bill Ritter dropping reelection Bid

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