May 22, 2013 04:53 PM UTC

Two Down--Hudak Recall Attempt "Suspended"

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• by: Colorado Pols

Vic Vela of the Arvada Press reports today:

Organizers who were seeking to recall Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, are suspending their petition-gathering efforts, according to an email obtained by Colorado Community Media on May 22.

Organizers told recall volunteers in the email that they are making a “strategic decision” to suspend their efforts to recall Hudak, so that they could focus on the ongoing recall efforts aimed at state Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs, and Sen. Angela Giron of Pueblo, both of whom are Democrats.

The organizers said in the email that they intend to “restart” their petition-gathering efforts against Hudak after they are successful in their recall attempts against Morse and Giron.

However, the clock is ticking on that effort. Organizers only have until June 10 to submit more than 18,000 recall petition signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office.

Over the past few weekends, the number of volunteers working the recall petition beat against Sen. Evie Hudak is said to have consistently dwindled, and it became apparent early on to organizers that they wouldn't come anywhere near the 18,000 signatures needed to successfully place her recall on the ballot. Hudak's signature requirement was the highest of any of the four Democrats who had recall petition attempts begin against them, and as soon as it was clear that opponents wouldn't be mounting paid signature drives against her, Hudak was safe.

With Rep. Mike McLachlan's recall drive having ended in failure yesterday, that leaves only Sens. Angela Giron of Pueblo and John Morse of Colorado Springs as possible legislators up for recall. The statement above about volunteers heading to Pueblo is worth noting, but the fact remains that Morse is the only recall most likely headed for the ballot at this point–and that, should it occur, only the result of a paid signature gathering effort.

Notwithstanding pay-to-play, folks, there's no sign in these developments any "sleeping giant" has "awakened."