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Larimer County Commissioner Steve Johnson is said to be planning a run for the U.S. Congress next year. While Johnson
U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey for the seat which comes available again in 2010.
considering a run for U.S. Congress in 2010. Due to term limits, Johnson could not have run again for State Senate.
considering a run for U.S. Congress in 2010. Due to term limits, Johnson could not have run again for State Senate.
Kathay Rennels (both Republicans) voted in favor of the resolution which passed the Larimer County Board of Kathay
Rennels (both Republicans) voted in favor of the resolution which passed the Larimer County Board of Commissioners by a
unanimous vote.
Commissioners by a unanimous vote.
U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, a Democrat, defeated Republican Congresswoman Marylin Musgrave last November in a hotly
contested election for Colorado's 4th Congressional District. Markey is the first Democrat to hold the seat since Rep.
Wayne Aspinal lost his party's nomination to seek re-election in 1973. Aspinal, a Democrat, was succeeded in the office by
Republicans Jim Johnson, Hank Brown, Wayne Allard, Bob Schaffer and later Marylin Musgrave.
Steven Johnson's interest in the seat is bad news for Ft. Collins City Councilman Diggs Brown who has long expressed an
interest in running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District; even before Musgrave was defeated. Brown, a veteran of
the war in Afghanistan and author of the book "Your Neighbor Went To War..." is self-described as an "ordinary guy."
Johnson's reputation in his party as a moderate means he will likely need to defeat a more conservative opponent in a
primary before being allowed to challenge Markey as the Republican nominee. Many see Johnson's chance of winning
back the seat in Congress for Republicans as very high given his electoral experience of drawing significant numbers of
independent and moderate voters in previous elections provided he survives the primary.
While Markey's congressional staff have chosen not to comment on previous announcements by potential opponents, the
district. Johnson may be just now considering the option due to recent blunders by his potential Republican primary
opponent as a member of Ft. Collins' City Council.
Councilman Digg Brown's recent opposition to Glade Reservoir left many pro-business Republicans scratching their heads
and perhaps Johnson supporters seeing an opening. LovelandPolitics has been informed that this and other similar "liberal"
votes by Brown have damaged his reputation in the front range and buoyed Johnson's confidence in being able to capture
the nomination from his party to challenge Markey.
Colorado Regent and Johnstown resident Tom Lucero has already announced he intends to run for the seat in 2010 and
Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck was also rumored to be looking at the seat. Buck has recently announced his
interest in running for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and is no longer considered a likely contender for Colorado's 4th
Congressional District. The Republican primary may become a three-way contest between Johnson, Brown and Lucero.
While Tom Lucero has significant experience in state politics, his resume appears light in non-political accomplishments and
knowledge of national issues.
Should Johnson officially throw his hat into the ring he will likely over-shadow lesser known aspirants for the office. It will
than be Brown and Lucero's burden to demonstrate how they can be better candidates than Johnson in a general election.
U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey for the seat which comes available again in 2010.
considering a run for U.S. Congress in 2010. Due to term limits, Johnson could not have run again for State Senate.
considering a run for U.S. Congress in 2010. Due to term limits, Johnson could not have run again for State Senate.
Kathay Rennels (both Republicans) voted in favor of the resolution which passed the Larimer County Board of Kathay
Rennels (both Republicans) voted in favor of the resolution which passed the Larimer County Board of Commissioners by a
unanimous vote.
Commissioners by a unanimous vote.
U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, a Democrat, defeated Republican Congresswoman Marylin Musgrave last November in a hotly
contested election for Colorado's 4th Congressional District. Markey is the first Democrat to hold the seat since Rep.
Wayne Aspinal lost his party's nomination to seek re-election in 1973. Aspinal, a Democrat, was succeeded in the office by
Republicans Jim Johnson, Hank Brown, Wayne Allard, Bob Schaffer and later Marylin Musgrave.
Steven Johnson's interest in the seat is bad news for Ft. Collins City Councilman Diggs Brown who has long expressed an
interest in running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District; even before Musgrave was defeated. Brown, a veteran of
the war in Afghanistan and author of the book "Your Neighbor Went To War..." is self-described as an "ordinary guy."
Johnson's reputation in his party as a moderate means he will likely need to defeat a more conservative opponent in a
primary before being allowed to challenge Markey as the Republican nominee. Many see Johnson's chance of winning
back the seat in Congress for Republicans as very high given his electoral experience of drawing significant numbers of
independent and moderate voters in previous elections provided he survives the primary.
While Markey's congressional staff have chosen not to comment on previous announcements by potential opponents, the
district. Johnson may be just now considering the option due to recent blunders by his potential Republican primary
opponent as a member of Ft. Collins' City Council.
Councilman Digg Brown's recent opposition to Glade Reservoir left many pro-business Republicans scratching their heads
and perhaps Johnson supporters seeing an opening. LovelandPolitics has been informed that this and other similar "liberal"
votes by Brown have damaged his reputation in the front range and buoyed Johnson's confidence in being able to capture
the nomination from his party to challenge Markey.
Colorado Regent and Johnstown resident Tom Lucero has already announced he intends to run for the seat in 2010 and
Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck was also rumored to be looking at the seat. Buck has recently announced his
interest in running for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and is no longer considered a likely contender for Colorado's 4th
Congressional District. The Republican primary may become a three-way contest between Johnson, Brown and Lucero.
While Tom Lucero has significant experience in state politics, his resume appears light in non-political accomplishments and
knowledge of national issues.
Should Johnson officially throw his hat into the ring he will likely over-shadow lesser known aspirants for the office. It will
than be Brown and Lucero's burden to demonstrate how they can be better candidates than Johnson in a general election.
