Saturday, March 13, 2004
A Senate Race to Watch
With former Democrat "Benedict" Nighthorse Campbell having announced that he will not seek reelection this year, there is an open Senate seat in Colorado.
If you go by the theory that the South is hopeless for Democrats, the Southwest - and Colorado in particular - gain real importance. A strong Democratic candidate and the current absence of a clear Republican choice may make this a particularly important race for both determining the Senate and testing the party's fortunes in the region.
Currently, the Democratic frontrunner is Ken Salazar - the state attorney general. The Republican governor, Bill Owens, has declined to run for the seat. Galvanizing Hispanic voters for Salazar may help the Democrats bridge the registration gap in Colorado - there are about 150,000 fewer registered Democrats than Republicans. Three Hispanic-Americans have served in the Senate, all coming from New Mexico. The last retired in 1977.
With former Democrat "Benedict" Nighthorse Campbell having announced that he will not seek reelection this year, there is an open Senate seat in Colorado.
If you go by the theory that the South is hopeless for Democrats, the Southwest - and Colorado in particular - gain real importance. A strong Democratic candidate and the current absence of a clear Republican choice may make this a particularly important race for both determining the Senate and testing the party's fortunes in the region.
Currently, the Democratic frontrunner is Ken Salazar - the state attorney general. The Republican governor, Bill Owens, has declined to run for the seat. Galvanizing Hispanic voters for Salazar may help the Democrats bridge the registration gap in Colorado - there are about 150,000 fewer registered Democrats than Republicans. Three Hispanic-Americans have served in the Senate, all coming from New Mexico. The last retired in 1977.
