Speculation rises about Coffman SoS successor

With Mike Coffman heavily favored to be elected to Congress this fall, speculation is rising about who would succeed him as Colorado Secretary of State.

As Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter would appoint Coffman’s successor, many Republicans fear Coffman’s departure would cause the GOP to lose yet another statewide office to the Democrats. Such feeling was exploited –unsuccessfully, as it turned out – by Coffman’s Republican primary opponents.

Outgoing state Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon (D-Denver), who ran for Secretary of State in 2006 against Coffman, has long been discussed as an obvious pick. But insiders say Gordon’s chances have fallen significantly since he and Ritter had a falling out towards the end of the 2008 legislative session.

State Rep. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) offered outgoing state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D-Denver) and former state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald as potential candidates for the job. Fitz-Gerald, who lost the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary to Jared Polis earlier this month, has experience running elections as a former Jefferson County clerk and recorder.

But as Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and state Treasurer Cary Kennedy are all from Denver, some say the governor wouldn’t want to choose another Denver native, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Carroll also said Ritter may opt for someone who’s not political for an office that’s heavily bureaucratic and managerial. Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Nancy Doty has long been mentioned as a potential candidate.

Carroll said so far she hasn’t seen any jockeying for the position among Democrats.

I haven’t heard on the Democratic side who is speaking for themselves saying ‘I want to run,’” Carroll said.