GOP Senator to Hang Up His Spurs?

The Rocky Mountain Chronicle breaks a story this morning that Sen. Steve Johnson (SD-15) may be stepping down from his current office for a possible run at a Larimer County commissioner seat.Johnson, an affable fiscal moderate/social conservative, cites family concerns as one motive for leaving the statehouse. He would be pitted against the sole Democrat in county office, should current Commissioner Karen Wagner run for re-election.

The Fort Collins-based Republican took considerable heat from his party colleagues for his energetic support of Referenda C&D in the 2005 election cycle. Johnson was rewarded for his bi-partisanship with a plum seat on the Joint Budget Committee last year.

Ultra-conservative Rep. Kevin Lundberg (HD-49), who represents Berthoud, Windsor and Estes Park, has publicly declared his interest in seeking the vacancy committee nomination if Johnson should step down.

The contrast between Johnson and Lundberg could not be more stark. On Colorado Confidential’s mid-term legislative scorecard, Johnson placed 9th among all Republicans in effectiveness of pushing through bills. Lundberg tied for last place.

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