Wiens eyes Colorado gov race

[ccharles000]

Colorado Republican Tom Wiens, the former state legislator who dropped a bid for Senate last spring, is positioning himself as a possible alternative candidate for governor if former Rep. Scott McInnis loses the GOP primary Tuesday or is later forced to abandon his bid.

Wiens, a wealthy rancher, said he has cast his mail-in primary ballot for McInnis. But in an interview with POLITICO, he stopped short of ruling out a late bid for governor if his preferred candidate ends up out of the race.

"I just sent in my ballot, and I voted for Scott McInnis and let's hope things work out. Who knows what might happen? Nobody can predict anything in Colorado this year," Wiens said. "You never rule anything out. I'm certainly qualified to run and be governor. I think I know the state better than almost anyone."

McInnis is competing with Dan Maes, a first-time candidate who started a credit-reporting company, for the Republican nomination. The former congressman's campaign was rolling along smoothly until it was revealed that McInnis plagiarized essays during a paid fellowship, in a scandal that has vaulted Maes into serious contention for the nomination and raised questions about whether McInnis can stay in the race through November.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40753.html

[Ken Burch]

1. Does this guy have the kind of money to run a viable independent candidacy?

Coming in at this stage, that would involve some serious cash.