August 21, 2010 08:26 AM UTC

What's Next for Andrew Romanoff?

• 3 Comments
• by: Politically

“Colorado Is Our Cause!” read the sticker that I was wearing along with several other people at an Andrew Romanoff campaign event roughly 4 months after Romanoff had dropped a State-wide bombshell announcing that he would challenge appointed Sen. Michael Bennet in the primary election.

After meeting Mr. Romanoff and listening to him speak, it occurred to me that he is the most real person I have seen on the campaign trail in terms of personality, honesty, and intentions. He doesn’t avoid answering tough questions like most do; he looks you in the eye and is a very honest and sincere person.

Romanoff possesses an uplifting charisma and an ability to represent, drive, and inspire younger generations, as well as bring people together for the better and get things done.

Romanoff put his heart and soul (plus his house) into his campaign, you can tell that he is very passionate about public service and wants nothing but the best for Colorado.

It is almost certain that Romanoff would become a rising star on the national scene, becoming a great lawmaker, an up-and-comer in the Senate, Romanoff would likely become Colorado’s most famous politician since Gary Hart, just without all of the monkey business (no pun intended).

As we all know, Romanoff is credited with leading Democrats to victory in 2004 and giving them  majorities in the State Legislature for the first time in about 30 years,  he has also lead the way on several ballot initiatives. Many people were angry that Ritter put Bennet, a political unknown at the time, in the Senate where Romanoff clearly deserved to be in an election year that calls for strong nominees.

I am still running into people that are upset Romanoff lost which is funny considering I have yet to run into a Bennet supporter since the primary ended.

Whether you preferred Romanoff or Bennet, it is quite clear that there was an enormous split among Democrats after the Primary, I can’t recall the last time the DNC Chairman came to a State to try and smooth things over after a primary.

Romanoff was quick to retain his status as a loyal Democrat and endorse Bennet after the race was called. In his concession speech, he said the following:

“We should support him with all of our hearts, we are going to go on to the general election, we are going to unite this party, we are going to lead this ticket to victory and I hope you understand what is at stake in November.”

Bennet was almost just as quick to commend Romanoff for his political work and insist we will see him on the political scene again in his victory speech.

“The issues that have divided us in this campaign are so much smaller than the hopes and values that we share. Andrew has spent his career committed to this State and to our party. I know this campaign does not mark the end of that work and I look forward to working with him on the progress we have made.”

Bennet said this with a smile, a huge applause from the Bennet crowd followed.

Aside from the 2010 campaign insanity, many quietly wonder what the future holds for Andrew Romanoff; a popular elected official who got kicked to the curb in what may be Colorado’s strangest and most fascinating Election cycle yet.

The one job Romanoff could get he turned down at the unity rally last week. The job is Mayor of Denver, the State capitol where he bested Bennet by roughly 3,000 votes,

“Not a job I’m interested in.”

he answered, which makes sense; Romanoff is a Legislative leader, not an Executive leader. At the same event, he was asked what was next for him.

“Aside from lunch, I don’t know.”

he said as he left the event.

It is difficult to predict where Romanoff could go if he wants to stay in the politics, John Hickenlooper, the Democratic nominee for Governor, has already made a choice for Lt. Governor, Hick made his choice rather early, probably to avoid public pressure to name Romanoff as his running mate in the case he lost the Senate primary.

Romanoff obviously wouldn’t be interested in returning to the Legislature, our Senate Seats are occupied by Democratic freshmen, and our Congressional districts are filled by Republicans in safe districts, more Democratic freshmen, and Diana DeGette, who is the senior member of Colorado’s Congressional delegation, doesn’t appear to be leaving any time soon.

The one thing this election cycle has taught us is that anything can happen, I think a U.S. Rep.-elect Andrew Romanoff in 2012 or 2014 is potential, keep an eye out for what Congressional district Romanoff decides to reside in.  

Romanoff’s best case scenarios to becoming a U.S. Senator sometime soon would be for him to serve as a Congressman for a few years and challenge an incumbent Sen. Ken Buck (if Buck gets that far) in 2016 or run to replace a retiring Sen. Udall further down the road. But remember, those are the best case scenarios.

Taking all of this into effect, especially the remarks on Romanoff written in Bennet’s victory speech, I think it’s safe to say that Romanoff will return to politics. He knows how much support he has for future bids and what is at stake in Colorado.  Now more than ever, we need elected officials and leaders that will do the right thing and not back down because of one failed campaign.

As I finish this article, about 15 feet away from me is my Romanoff campaign sign leaning against the wall which I am saving for a rainy day in Colorado. Political instinct tells me I’m not the only one.