March 08, 2006 09:00 AM UTC

Gigi Dennis Won't Run, Backs Coffman

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• by: Colorado Pols

From the Associated Press:

Secretary of State Gigi Dennis said today she will not run for a full term in November and endorsed Republican State Treasurer Mike Coffman for the job. Dennis, appointed by GOP Gov. Bill Owens in August after her predecessor resigned, said she wants to focus on bringing the office into compliance with new federal election laws.

Dennis replaced Donetta Davidson, who resigned to become a member of the federal Election Assistance Commission. Davidsons unfinished term ends early next year. Coffman, who is on leave from the treasurers job while serving in Iraq with the Marines, has already said he will run for the secretary of states job.

This is certainly a surprise, and it may indicate that Dennis is in line for something else (perhaps Bob Beauprez’s Lt. Governor?) Dennis gave up a $108,000 federal job to take the $68,500 Secretary of State appointment, and she was long thought to want to run for a full term in 2006. Avoiding a Republican Primary was also important after Ken Gordon made an impressive entry into the race on the Democratic side.