March 17, 2008 11:30 PM UTC

Tom Russell Ends Campaign in HD-6

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• by: Colorado Pols

The field fighting to replace House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in Denver’s HD-6 just got a little thinner. Tom Russell, once thought to be a strong contender for the seat, announced today in a bitter e-mail message that he was withdrawing from the race.

Russell, an attorney and law professor, reportedly did not get the kind of support from the Trial Lawyers that he was counting on, and he seemed to be growing increasingly frustrated with the amount of money that frontrunner Josh Hanfling was raising (note the repeated barbs tossed toward Hanfling in his withdrawal announcement). Both Democrats Liz Adams and Lois Court made the primary ballot through the caucus process, while Russell was held below the 30% threshold and would have been forced to petition onto the ballot.

Full withdrawal letter follows…

Today, I end my campaign for the Democratic nomination for Colorado House District 6.

The candidates for the nomination in District 6 have a lot of talent.  After each of the four candidate forums in which I participated and also during the Denver Democratic Convention and Assembly, many voters commented that the District 6 candidates possess a wealth of talent and experience that makes choosing a candidate difficult.  

I am a law professor with a small private practice as an attorney.  I am married with two children in school.  This race has become more complicated, and I find that I cannot do justice for my clients, meet my university obligations, provide enough love to my family, and adequately compete for the nomination.  I would like to spend more time with my family and less time with the campaign.  I do not have enough time.

My not having enough time, when combined with the fact that there is lots of talent in this race, points to the need for me step aside.  The candidates who participated in the caucus and assembly process are real Democrats.  I believe that the greatest challenge that they face is from a Republican Trojan horse.  Posing as a Democrat, this candidate will petition onto the ballot and campaign with the war chest that he is now raising.  Squabbling among the real Democrats makes a victory by the Trojan horse more likely.  

I thank everyone who supported and encouraged me; everyone who stuck by the rules; and everyone for whom the ideals of the Democratic Party are meaningful.