HICK UP
Salazar Bows Out for Governor, Gives Hickenlooper the Nod
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he won't run for Colorado governor. He gives his nod to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.By David Frey, 1-07-10
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Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he won’t run for Colorado governor, and he’s endorsing Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Here’s the statement he released on Thursday:
Colorado needs a strong, experienced leader with optimism and new ideas for carrying our state forward. That is why I am endorsing John Hickenlooper for Governor of Colorado. John Hickenlooper is a uniter. He transcends political and geographic divides to bring people together to develop solutions. If he decides to run, he will make an excellent Governor for the State of Colorado.
I know John and Helen will seriously consider this historic opportunity that will define the future of State of Colorado and her people. This is a personal decision they must make and I will fully respect that decision.
As for me, I have a job to do as Secretary of the Interior to implement President Obama’s vision for a clean energy economy and to better protect America’s great outdoors.
The Denver Post reports that Salazar made the decision Wednesday night after talking with family and advisors. He intends to remain in his role in the Obama administration. The president reportedly had given Salazar the green light to run for governor but said he’d prefer him to remain in his cabinet.
Will Hickenlooper run? Time will tell. He released this statement today:
“We are very grateful and honored for Secretary Salazar’s support. Secretary Salazar is one of Colorado’s finest and we greatly admire his public service. This doesn’t change our course. My family and I will take the appropriate time to consider whether a run for governor is the right thing to do.”
All this comes after Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection. Polls showed him trailing the Republican frontrunner, Scott McInnis, a former congressman and lobbyist.
Follow David Frey on his Web site, www.davidfrey.me, and on Twitter.
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Comments
This is going to be a Denver versus Colorado race if Loop decides to run. I hope Scott stomps him but good.