Mayor rejects bid for governor

[Freddie Stubbs]

Hick says his focus is on running city

By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News
April 23, 2005

Mayor John Hickenlooper ruled out a run for governor in an e-mail sent to city employees Friday, but some say he didn't completely shut the door.

The e-mail comes on the heels of a Time magazine article this week that anointed Hickenlooper one of the five top big-city mayors in the nation and has led to increased speculation about his political future.

"As you may be aware, there has been much speculation in the media about whether I should run or will run for governor in 2006," he wrote. "Let me assure you, I'm not - nor have I been - seeking the office of governor."

The e-mail at times reads like a campaign brochure, touting his administration's accomplishments. In it, Hickenlooper said that he is flattered by the efforts of Democrats to draft him as a gubernatorial candidate.

more: http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/election/article/0,1299,DRMN_36_3723060,00.html

[DaveinMD]

1. now that he's out

it seems to open the door wide open for Rutt Bridges. I wouldn't be surprised if Romanoff runs too.

[paulk]

2. I wonder if there wasn't some backroom dealing going on here

Rutt's payoff for standing aside with Salazar, not to mention all the money he contributed in the last election cycle?

His biggest problem might be name recognition, especially if the Repubs run someone with name recog.

[DaveinMD]

3. he has enough money

to buy plenty of name recognition.