Face the State

Face The State Staff Report

At Saturday’s Denver County GOP meeting, Denver businessman Cleve Tidwell took to the stage to ask voters to pledge their support for his 2010 candidacy. His candidacy for what, however, he didn't say.

Tidwell hasn’t filed candidate paperwork with the Secretary of State for any statewide office, and therefore, while he asked the crowd for its support, he said he didn't want to officially announce his candidacy.

Colorado Republican Party chairman Dick Wadhams said he’s never heard of Tidwell. “If he wants to run, he should just dive in and do it,” Wadhams told Face The State.

Tidwell’s name was first brought to Face The State’s attention when a reader identifying herself as “lucylu” commented in response to a feature on potental gubenatorial candidates.

On January 28, the commentor wrote:

“I attended a party at Japanese Consulant (sic) Generals home last week and over heard a conversation that I found interested (sic). Just wondered what you might know. I probably shouldn't even be mentioning it, but curious mines (sic) want to know I suppose. If so we might have a strong candidate for the GOP Governor run. A gentlman (sic) named Cleve Tidwell who I understand has been and maybe still is an international business executive, I heard was considering the run for Governor. I understand he has been encouraged by some strong republicans in the state. I meet him and he is beyond sharp and would probably bring some serious leadership to Colorado. So, please keep us informed if you learn more. This guy brings a new face to us which we greatly need. Plus I think we need a business man at the top not a lawyer. So, hope you can find more and report...thanks and like your site.”

The domain Tidwellforgovernor.com has been purchased, but so far the only thing on there is a message that says, “This Web site is coming soon.” Tidwell, who is originally from Georgia, says he’s lived in Colorado for more than 20 years. He has traveled the world as a business executive and is the co-founder and CEO of MoneyCafe USA, a financial services firm, which has offices in Tokyo and Osaka under the name of Knows i-land, LLP.

Denver GOP Chair Ryan Call said Tidwell is political newcomer with strong ties to the Hispanic and Asian communities, which would be very beneficial in and around the Denver area. "He’s a very gentlemanly kind of guy," Call said.

Tidwell has also been spotted around the Capitol and recently testified in support of the School Finance Transparency Act, legislation seeking to put school district spending online. When contacted by Face The State, Tidwell was short on time but did say that coming out of nowhere is part of his strategy. He said he’ll officially announce his specific intentions in March, and is getting organized right now.