Colorado Politics
A Senate primary election is coming up August 10. As something of a newcomer to this state's politics, I've been a little fuzzy as to just whom I will vote for. Michael Bennet is the incumbent, facing a challenge from popular (and more politically experienced) Democrat Andrew Romanoff.
There's a lot of dislike for Mr. Bennet, mostly circling around the fact that he was appointed to his position, rather than elected (when his predecessor Ken Salazar went on to become Secretary of the Interior). Though you may not like the way he came to that position, it was very much by-the-rules, and he is a legitimate U.S. Senator. In primaries, you don't boot out your own party's incumbent unless you have good reason to do so. He seems to have been a well-behaved Democrat during his short tenure, voting all the right ways and generally avoiding controversy. So as I see it, the reason isn't there.
On the House side, my Congressman Ed Perlmutter's seat is generally thought to be safe.
Meanwhile, Denver's popular mayor John Hickenlooper is running for Governor, as incumbent Bill Ritter is not seeking a second term. Some interesting dynamics on the GOP side of the race, but I really don't know enough about any of the players to dislike them for any reason beyond simply being Republican.
There's a lot of dislike for Mr. Bennet, mostly circling around the fact that he was appointed to his position, rather than elected (when his predecessor Ken Salazar went on to become Secretary of the Interior). Though you may not like the way he came to that position, it was very much by-the-rules, and he is a legitimate U.S. Senator. In primaries, you don't boot out your own party's incumbent unless you have good reason to do so. He seems to have been a well-behaved Democrat during his short tenure, voting all the right ways and generally avoiding controversy. So as I see it, the reason isn't there.
On the House side, my Congressman Ed Perlmutter's seat is generally thought to be safe.
Meanwhile, Denver's popular mayor John Hickenlooper is running for Governor, as incumbent Bill Ritter is not seeking a second term. Some interesting dynamics on the GOP side of the race, but I really don't know enough about any of the players to dislike them for any reason beyond simply being Republican.