Shortly after the 2010 elections I came up with a short list of Colorado GOP candidates who fell short but still faced bright political futures. At the top of the list was Ryan Frazier, who this year ended up coming in second in a six-way race to be the new mayor of Aurora (one of the nominees for Colorado political stories of the year that YOU can vote on).
While CD 1’s hard-working Dr. Mike Fallon (#2 on the list) looks to be keeping true to his word to be a one-time candidate, the conservatives occupying the next two spots both could be back in the fray for 2012. It was more than 13 months ago I observed about CD 7 primary runner-up Lang Sias (#4):
Depending on how redistricting plays out, he might end up inside Senate District 19. Would he be interested in taking on this challenge in 2012?
Word on the street is that Arvada resident Sias indeed is seriously considering a run for SD 19, and is expected to make a decision early next year. The seat is currently represented by liberal Evie Hudak. Her seat stands at the top of any Republican list to challenge for control of the state legislature. Sias’ 2010 Congressional run doubtless has bought him some invaluable experience and local name recognition. It’s not clear what other Republican might be considering a go at SD 19, but Sen. Hudak cannot be relishing a possible challenge from the father and former Navy fighter pilot.
Owen Hill (#3) — who finished 340 votes short of unseating Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) — has declared for the newly redrawn Senate District 10. A beneficiary of the reapportionment process, Hill’s stiffest competition this time around will come in the GOP primary versus State Rep. Larry Liston (who has a relatively low 2011 score from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers but did sponsor the failed anti-protectionist HB 1284).
Others mentioned in the November 2010 post to keep an eye on… Christine Mastin was appointed state party treasurer in April, and Danny Stroud capably took the helm of the Denver Republican Party earlier in the year, while Brian Vande Krol is weighing another highly competitive run at a state legislative seat.
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