Scott Starin

Colorado Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams said Wednesday that he’s “strongly leaning” towards seeking re-election and defended his record as chair for the past two years.

“I have not certainly decided to seek re-election,” Wadhams told PolitickerCO.com.  “I’m leaning towards it – strongly leaning towards it. I’m going to decide soon whether I will or not.”

Some Republicans, both on and off the record, have questioned Wadhams’ performance as chair following Democratic victories last week in the presidential, U.S. Senate, and 4th Congressional District races.

“I guess I would challenge anybody to say that they would’ve done anything better or differently than what I did,” Wadhams said. “If they’ve got something better, to all those anonymous people who have criticized me in the press, I say come out of the shadows, quit being cowards and debate me head-on in front of a group of Republicans about my tenure as a chairman.”

Second Congressional District Republican nominee Scott Starin said Colorado Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams "was spread too thin" this year by running Bob Schaffer's U.S. Senate campaign while remaining party chair. 

He also criticized the state party for not paying enough attention to state legislative races, and blasted national Republicans for focusing on U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's (R-Fort Morgan) re-election campaign while ignoring him and other long-shot GOP congressional candidates.

Colorado Republicans may be looking at some big losses next Tuesday, as the races for president, U.S. Senate and the 4th Congressional District are all trending towards Democrats replacing Republicans.

But while polls indicate Democrat Mark Udall will easily beat Republican Bob Schaffer, the presidential race and --especially -- the 4th Congressional District will likely be fairly close.

Meanwhile, Colorado's six other congressional races aren't likely to be competitive.

UPDATED 1:15 A.M. 10/16/2008

The numbers are in for federal candidate fundraising during the third quarter of 2008. Here's how Colorado candidates did:

(Chart will be updated as numbers come in)

Republican Scott Starin has a low-budget video that points out his differences with Democrat Jared Polis on education issues:

By Scott Starin 

Second Congressional District Republican candidate

America is at a tipping point, Oil, energy, and food prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, and there seems to be no relief in sight. Americans are hurting. Gas and oil prices have increased over 70% over the last two years and food prices have experienced double-digit inflation over the same time period. Our ability to explore and utilize domestic energy solutions is unnecessarily restricted, hampering our country's prosperity and creating a situation in which we fund countries that are ideologically and environmentally opposed to the values of America.

  With all the attention paid to this year's CD-2 Democratic primary race, there might end up being a battle for the Republican nomination as well.

Two candidates, 2006 CD-2 Republican nominee Rich Mancuso of Evergreen and aerospace engineer Scott Starin of Lafayette, have both said they're running for the 2008 Republican CD-2 nomination.

Meanwhile, Unity Party candidate Bill Hammons' campaign announced that they will begin circulating ballot petitions on Friday.