Face The State Staff Report
While political insiders had long speculated that Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, a Republican, would seek the U.S. Senate seat now held by the newly sworn-in Michael Bennet, Suthers announced today that he will instead seek re-election to his current office in 2010.
Suthers, left, and Treasurer Cary KennedyFTS File Photo
When contemplating his decision, Suthers cited the amount of time he would have to spend fundraising for a U.S. Senate bid as a major factor.
“As a Republican challenger without the benefit of incumbency, or of an incumbent President to assist in fundraising, and facing the prospect of raising 8 to 10 million dollars to be a viable candidate, I believe I would essentially be Attorney General in name only for the next two years,” said Suthers in a news release. “It's quite clear I would need to spend an average of 6 to 8 hours per day, 6 days per week, fundraising over the next 21 months.”
The announcement dampens aspirations for Troy Eid, a Republican who recently stepped down as U.S. Attorney for Colorado while announcing that he would seek Suthers' seat. When contacted by Face The State, Eid said in light of Suthers' announcement, he was no longer planning to run. “John did a huge U-turn,” he said. “[My wife, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Allison Eid] and I are very surprised by this.”
Eid said Suthers is a great friend and has his support. For his part, Eid said he has no plans to pursue a different political office.
Eid has followed directly in the career path of Suthers over the course of the last several years. The two men worked together in former Gov. Bill Owens’ administration. Eid also helped Suthers during his unsuccessful 1998 atttorney general bid. Owens later appointed Suthers to the position when former Attorney General Ken Salazar resigned to run for the U.S. Senate. Eid is noted for his political ambition, having abandoned a 2006 bid for a University of Colorado at-large regent only after he was appointed to U.S. attorney by the Bush administration.
All incumbent office holders for Colorado’s statewide constitutional offices, including state treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general and governor, are up for re-election in 2010. With the exception of Suthers, all other incumbents are Democrats. Treasurer Cary Kennedy and Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, recently appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter, also a Democrat, have already set up campaign committees for the 2010 election cycle.