April 18, 2009 09:04 PM UTC

Are there early signs that Ritter will face a primary?

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• by: cologeek

According to the Denver Post Governor Bill Ritter has raised only $118,000 in the first quarter of ’09.  This gives him a grand total of `$125,609 in his campaign fund.  Contrast this with Betsy Markey raising $342,000, let alone Michael Bennet and his not unimpressive $1.35 million for his Senate race, and you have to wonder why donations are so scarce for the Guv.

It’s possible that certain Democratic money machines like Big Labor are disappointed that his performance in office has not been “progressive” enough, and are holding back in favor of a possible challenger.  Former Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff would be a likely choice, he’s popular with the base, has name recognition, and has experience with the legislature.  

There could be other explanations for the Governors poor performance in fundraising, and I,m interested in hearing any other theories on it.  But it really is odd that the preeminent Democrat in Colorado is having this kind of trouble.