Rumblings from Colorado, via the San Francisco Chronicle:
After bucking a national trend toward the political right in the last election with wins in the state Capitol and the congressional delegation, emboldened Colorado Democrats are seeking to expand on their gains.
Democrats are convinced Republicans have lost their way in Colorado, said Chris Gates, who was state Democratic Party chairman during the November election.
"There is definitely a significant shift going on in Colorado, and I think Colorado is a beachhead for the Democratic Party in the Rocky Mountain West," said Gates.
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On Thursday, Colorado Rep. Mark Udall, a member of a Western political dynasty, announced he would forego a widely expected gubernatorial bid in favor of a 2008 campaign to oust Republican Sen. Wayne Allard.
If Udall wins, he would give Democrats control of both of the state's Senate seats for the first time since 1974.
Allard has refused to say whether he will keep his promise to step down after two terms. If Allard does not run, Republicans may try to persuade Gov. Bill Owens to enter the race after he leaves office in 2006 because of term limits.
Colorado is definitely "in play" in 2008. Sen. Allard seems to have solid backing in the state, from what I've been told. Udall would present a challenge to incumbent Allard, making it a tight race. With Fmr. State Attorney General Ken Salazar defeating Pete Coors last fall, the GOP needs to keep on eye on the Centennial State.
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