December 10, 2007 06:53 PM UTC

Udall May Have Primary Challenge...If He Figures Out How

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• by: Colorado Pols

An anti-war activist lefty Democrat apparently plans to challenge Democrat Mark Udall for the nomination to the U.S. Senate…provided that he can figure out how to actually do that. From Colorado Confidential:

A member of Colorado’s Democratic executive committee and state central committee said Friday night that he intends to run against Congressman Rep. Mark Udall for the U.S. Senate nomination.

Mark Benner said he intends to file paperwork with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Senate. Benner sent an announcement of his candidacy to the Udall campaign, but has yet to file required paperwork to make it official.

“I would do this not to run against Mark Udall so much as to run on issues,” Benner said in an interview Friday night at Colorado Democratic headquarters…

…said Benner, “I don’t want to go down as the Ralph Nader of Colorado Democrats,” referring to the consumer advocate whose third-party presidential campaign likely cost Democrats the White House in 2000.

But even Benner admits that isn’t likely. He has no illusions about winning. He helps lead the Colorado Democrats’ left wing and wants to provoke a discussion. He did much the same thing in a 2002 state senate race against Republican Mark Hillman. Benner played the role of the loyal opposition and got 27 percent of the votes.

A primary would be a distraction in what could become an expensive Senate campaign.

With apologies to Jim Spencer, Benner has a long ways to go to even be a minor distraction. He won’t be “Colorado’s Ralph Nader” unless he was planning on running as a third-party candidate, because once Udall trounces him in the primary the effect on the general election will be nil. As a primary challenger, Benner is more Larry Johnson than Mike Miles, and even Miles got drilled in the primary against Ken Salazar.

Benner is also no Wayne Wolf, who was only a story when he discussed running against Bob Schaffer because State GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams and others publicly dismissed him. Wolf was only slightly taken seriously because he was actually an elected official (Delta County Commissioner), and now he is running for CD-3. We’re not saying that Benner shouldn’t run, but he definitely shouldn’t be taken seriously just yet.

Benner isn’t going to get much attention by the press, nor should he, but even if he does you could make a case that Benner actually helps Udall in a general election because he makes him appear more moderate. As it is, Benner’s attempt at trying to “bring up issues” is mostly irrelevant, and he may never make it to the starting line anyway.

Udall’s campaign manager, Mike Melanson, said he wouldn’t comment on Benner’s candidacy until the paperwork was filed.

“We are aware (of Benner),” Melanson said. “I would not be surprised if he ran. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t run.”

Benner says that he plans to file with the Secretary of State, but we’re not sure what Condoleeza Rice will do with his application. Yes, we’re joking, but running for Senate is a federal office that requires filing with the FEC, not the Colorado Secretary of State.