Nicholson Steps Down from VA - Next Stop Senate?

by: Colorado Pols

Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 19:54:04 PM MDT

We noted last month that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson's appearance at a Denver fundraiser raised the question of whether he might indeed run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in 2008.

Today, Nicholson announced his resignation from the VA, according to Reuters:

U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary James Nicholson said on Tuesday he would step down, leaving an agency criticized for the care provided to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nicholson, whose resignation is effective no later than October 1, said he wanted to return to the private sector.

"This coming February, I turn 70 years old, and I feel it is time for me to get back into business, while I still can," he said in a prepared statement.

Nicholson was sworn in on February 1, 2005. He has also served in the Bush administration as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and was a former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Nicholson would seem to be less likely to run for the Senate after a strong Q2 fundraising performance by Bob Schaffer, but it's no secret that moderate Republicans have been searching for a more moderate candidate than Schaffer to run against Democrat Mark Udall.

Jim Nicholson in Denver

by: Colorado Pols

Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 08:41:25 AM MDT

It's no secret that some Colorado Republicans aren't settled on Bob Schaffer as their man for the U.S. Senate, but could a former floated name be rising back to the top?

Colorado Pols first reported in January that Jim Nicholson, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, was contemplating a run for the U.S. Senate. Nicholson later announced that he was not interested in running after all.

Nicholson will be in Denver on June 29 for a big ticket fundraiser for the Denver County Republicans (a private reception is $500).

Of course, there could be nothing else to this other than Nicholson agreeing to raise money for the local GOP (he is a longtime Colorado resident), and an organizer of the GOP event says that Nicholson is not running for Senate.
But then again, this could be a good time for Nicholson to start making the rounds in Colorado in advance of a potential candidacy. It's not like there isn't an opportunity for him.