Colorado governor Bill Ritter’s decision not to run for reelection is a strong indication that Centennial State Democrats are worried about their prospects in 2010.
Just last week, a Democratic member of the state house of representatives switched her party affiliation from Democrat to “independent,” reducing the Democratic legislative majority and setting the state Capitol abuzz.
But Ritter’s announcement is nothing short of a bombshell, and it bodes well for the prospects of GOP gubernatorial front-runner (and former congressman) Scott McInnis.
Tempering Republican optimism is the strength of the Democratic bench, which includes Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter. Any one of those contenders could mount a credible bid to replace Ritter.
Since 2004, Colorado Democrats have enjoyed unprecedented success in this traditionally center-right state, capturing the governor’s mansion, both U.S. Senate seats, and both houses of the legislature.
Ritter’s decision is a sign that this bellwether state may be changing direction once again.
– Rob Witwer is a former member of the Colorado house of representatives and co-author of the upcoming book The Blueprint: How Democrats Won Colorado (And Why Republicans Everywhere Should Care).