Bill Owens... wont run for the Senate

OWENS WON'T RUN IN COLORADO. The newly open Colorado US Senate race was thrown into more turmoil on Tuesday. Governor Bill Owens (R) -- perceived as the top GOP prospect to hold the seat being vacated by US Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell -- announced he would not be a candidate for the seat because of family concerns related to his young children and estranged wife. With Campbell and Owens now out, the Colorado seat is definitely in play as a highly competitive race this fall. Soon after Owens made his decision known, Congressman Mark Udall (D) announced he would enter the Senate race. Among those still weighing entry into the race are Congressmen Bob Beauprez (R) and Scott McInnis (R), Attorney General Ken Salazar (D), and State Treasurer Mike Coffman (R). Former US Senator Gary Hart (D) said Tuesday that would not run.


this is from Politics 1...dame good site if you don't know it...looks like we have a shot...if I'd been Owens I would have run to strengthen my self for 2008...but without Owens in the mix we can win this with a strong moderate candidate...if Owens had run we wouldn't have had a chance IMHO...but looks like we do now...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/3/10/6361/64457

This is f-ing sweet! Udall is my congressman and a great guy. Unfortunetly I'm abroad right now and I can't campaign for him, but I'll definitely be in his corner in the fall!

The other guy in the race (forgot his name) seemed pretty cool too, but I think Udall has the potential to raise a lot more money. If the GOP nominates someone like Beauprez (far weaker than Campbell), we might just have a real race.

Edited to comment on Owens--I didn't know he was seperated from his wife! And now the allegations of illegitimate kids!

Things only seem to really happen in Colorado when I'm not there!

could be convinced to enter the race? I would prefer Udall stay in the House, we need every Democrat we can get.

yesterday. Objectively speaking, both Hart and Salazar would probably be stronger candidates than Udall (Salazar because he is popular and Hispanic; Hart because of name recognition and national security creds). But part of me is itching to see if a "Boulder Democrat" can beat back the GOP.

but...Josie Heath, maybe ? Dottie Lamm?

It's too bad Tim Wirth and Dave Scaggs are retired...

I hope that there won't be a difficult primary though for the Democrats, between Udall and millionaire Rutt Bridges. This is a seat that would definitely help (with good shots in Alaska, Oklahoma, Illinois, and now Colorado, it looks like the Democrats are now on an even playing field to win back the Senate).

Also, I'd just like to congratulate Jon Corzine and Debbie Stabenow again on attracting so many top tier candidates: Inez Tenenbaum, Tony Knowles, Joe Hoeffel, Mark Udall, Betty Castor, Erskine Bowles, the list is very impressive. Just compare it to the list of candidates George Allen and Karl Rove couldn't get to run for the Senate-Jim Edgar, Jennifer Dunn, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, Asa Hutchison, Mike Huckabee, Jim Gibbons, and now Bill Owens.