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May 10 2008, 2:58 AM EDT (current)	benawu	5 words added, 1 word deleted
Mar 15 2008, 3:08 AM EDT	benawu	1 word added, 1 word deleted

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Colorado Senate Race

Incumbent	Wayne Allard
Party	Republican
Seeking re-election?	Says he won't seek third term.
Campaign Website	Senate Website
Other Resources	Congresspedia profile on Wayne Allard

Challenger	Mark Udall - filed papers to run 17 April 2007
Party	Democratic
Occupation	U.S. Representative, Colorado 2nd congressional district
Source of Information	Colorado Springs Gazette
Campaign Website	House Website Campaign Website
Cash on Hand Fundraising Link	$1.5 Million Act Blue
Other Resources	Congresspedia profile on Mark Udall

Challenger	Bob Schaffer
Party	Republican
Occupation	Former U.S. Rep. (1997-2002); lost 2004 GOP nomination to Pete Coors
Source of Information	The Hill, May 3, 2007
Candidate Website	Campaign Website
Other Resources	Congresspedia profile on Bob Schaffer

Potential Challenger	Mark Benner
Party	Democratic
Occupation	Teacher, Dem. Party chair for Washington County
Source of Information	Colorado Confidential, 12/7/07
Candidate Website	Campaign Website

Potential Challenger	Wayne Wolf
Party	Republican
Occupation	Delta County Commissioner, rancher
Source of Information	Denver Post, 9/12/07

Declined Challenger	Bob Beauprez
Party	Republican
Occupation	U.S. Representative, Colorado 7th congressional district (2003-2007); 2006 Republican gubernatorial nominee
Source of Information	Rumor/speculation
Candidate Website
Cash on hand	$80,481 (per 1/16/07 Hotline)
Other Resources	Congresspedia Profile on Bob Beauprez

Potential Challenger	Bill Owens
Party	Republican
Occupation	Colorado governor (1999-2007)
Source of Information	Rumor/speculation; Hotline says it's unlikely he'll run

Potential Challenger	Major General Bentley B. Rayburn
Party	Republican
Occupation	2006 CO-05 candidate/Ret. USAF Maj. Gen.
Source of Information	Air Force Biography

Potential Challenger	Dan Caplis
Party	Republican
Occupation	Atty; talk show host
Source of Information	1/17/07 Roll Call article

Potential Challenger	Mike Coffman
Party	Republican
Occupation	Sec. of State
Source of Information	1/17/07 Roll Call article

Background Information

Senator Wayne Allard, first elected in 1996, has never managed to garner more than 51% of the vote in general elections. TIME Magazine branded Allard one of America's Five Worst Senators in 2006, known for being bland, dull, uninspiring, and influential. The magazine even nicknamed him "The Invisible Man" because of his "skimpy" legislative record.

According to the latest SurveyUSA polling, Allard has the 9th worst approval of any US Senator (11/8/06 MoE 4.1%). According to that poll, 44% of Coloradans approve of Allard, while 43% disapprove. It may be due to his low approval rating and inability to inspire enthusiasm that 2K8RT sources indicate that he may face several Republican primary challenges.

Allard Retiring?

A November item in the Denver Post indicated that Allard is expected by many to retire at the end of his term in 2008. Writes the local publication:

The buzz in U.S. Senate circles is that Wayne Allard might honor his pledge to serve just two terms and retire to that new home he and his wife, Joan, are building in Jackson County.
[...]
Allard is in the minority in Congress for the first time since he was elected in 1997 and word is he isn't too keen on the situation. The list of Republicans who might run in 2008 if Allard does not includes U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, former Reps. Scott McInnis and Bob Schaffer, and outgoing Gov. Bill Owens.

The Denver Post also notes "Regardless of the GOP ticket, Rep. Mark Udall plans to run and will make a formal announcement sometime next year. His campaign coffers now hold $1.2 million." Impressive indeed, compared to the fact that (according to the same source) Allard has only $119,000 in his re-election warchest.

Allard pledged to only serve two terms when he ran for office in 1996 and 2002.

Post-Allard retirement announcement

After Allard formally announced he would not seek another term on January 15th 2007, Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post wrote in his blog The Fix:

Colorado was already shaping up to host one of the most competitive Senate races in the country next year, even if Allard has decided to run. Democrats have gained two House seat, [sic] a Senate seat and the governor's mansion over the last two election cycles. It is now Democrats' premier pickup opportunity, and the Democratic candidate will almost certainly benefit from Denver's selection to host the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Also on the same day, The Hotline (a publication of The National Journal), said of the race: "Rep. Mark Udall has all but closed the field for Democrats. Make no bones about it: CO is one of the biggest pick-up opportunities for Dems, and one of the toughest seats for Republicans to defend."