Peter Marcus, outgoing reporter for the Colorado Springs Gazette mashes the “scramble” button on Democratic politics in Colorado in a big way–with news that Rep. Ed Perlmutter may run again for his CD-7 seat after pulling out of the gubernatorial race and giving every indication that he would retire:
Multiple sources confirmed that after Perlmutter was approached by constituents and fellow colleagues in Congress about a re-election campaign, he began reconsidering running for re-election. Sources could not speak on the record, as they were not at liberty to discuss the details of Perlmutter’s thoughts.
A re-election campaign would come after Perlmutter, a Democrat from Arvada who represents the 7th Congressional District in Jefferson and Adams counties, declared that he would not pursue the seat again.
Several Democrats have been running to replace Perlmutter in a tightly contested primary, including state Sens. Andy Kerr of Lakewood and Dominick Moreno of Commerce City, and state Rep. Brittany Pettersen, also of Lakewood. Also running in the race is former Obama-era U.S. ambassador Dan Baer.
A re-election bid by the popular Perlmutter could cripple those campaigns.
There’s nothing we can add to this report without more information, but we’ll update as soon as we know more. The fact is that Perlmutter is the incumbent representative for this district, and candidates stepping back into their old race after changing their mind on a bid for higher office is not without precedent (see: Marco Rubio). With that said, we have to believe anyone less beloved than Ed Perlmutter would be facing severe blowback over this most uncharacteristic bout of indecision–leaving fellow Democrats who have planned their own career moves around his choices for months in the lurch.
But it is Ed Perlmutter. This is Ed Perlmutter’s seat. And we do expect everyone involved will defer to him.
Whatever happens here needs to happen quickly, so that everyone can move on with their lives.
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I would guess he has concluded that it is easier to launch a senate campaign from a House seat than after being out of the rough and tumble for 4 years…. (I'm looking at you Cory Gardner—and so is Ed)……
It is not actually Ed Perlmutter's seat. The seat belongs to the people of the seventh district.
Technicality. It really is his seat as long as he wants it.
, my mom's in his district and she was over the moon when I called her and read this post to her.
Welcome back, Ed! (I hope.)
It would be a dick move from a decent guy.
Under that standard, it probably already is one, since this only came out because he wanted it to, and has already borked up the race a bit.
"dick move" ?? Do you live in the 7th District? I do, and I've always voted for Ed since my party makes a career out of putting up sacrificial "numb nuts" to oppose him. Nothing against Andy Kerr or Brittany Petersen. But Ed remains my choice unless lightening strikes and my party comes up with a quality candidate.
I'm as big an Ed supporter as they come, but yeah, it's kind of a dick move. The Democrats are in desperate need of fresh faces in order to rebuild the party, and his wanting to be Governor created openings in not only his House seat, but three seats in the state legislature.
He said he doesn't have the fire in the belly any more to do this. For the good of the party, he should take a bow and step off the stage.
I think OrangeFree may be confusing local politics with the need for fresh faces at the national level. As in, Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer stepping down from their current leadership positions.
Not for nothing, but where do you think those fresh faces come from?
Who was the guy who ran against Pelosi back in January or December? I recall Perlmutter voted for him.
I think Steve Scalise getting shot scared the spit out of Ed and he needed some time to steady his nerves. Can't say I blame him, but he will be welcomed back by his constituents with open arms and "Attaboys!".