Former PolitickerCO reporter parses Markey opponents in new daily blog

Former PolitickerCO.com reporter Jeremy Pelzer — whose daily postings on the now-defunct site were must-reads for Colorado’s politically attuned — lands this week at Elevated Voices, 5280’s everything-to-know-about-Denver blog. Monday’s posting examines potential challengers to Rep. Betsy Markey, who unseated three-term Republican Marilyn Musgrave and became the first Democrat to represent the sprawling 4th Congressional District in more than three decades.

Pelzer, who regularly broke Statehouse stories during the year he reported from the Capitol, brings his savvy to bear on the half dozen Republicans considering a run against Markey in 2010. Topping the roster:

University of Colorado Regent Tom Lucero of Loveland

Odds he’ll run: Already announced.

Why he’d run: Last December, even before Markey was sworn into Congress, Lucero officially filed as a candidate. So far, he’s the only announced Republican in the race.

Why he wouldn’t: Lucero’s got a head start, sure, but he’s got to use that time to raise cash and tell people who he is before bigger names start entering the race. Being first doesn’t automatically mean success: just ask Tom Vilsack and John Cox, the first Democrat and Republican, respectively, to enter the 2008 presidential race.

Check out the other 4th District GOP hopefuls — state Rep. Cory Gardner, Fort Collins Councilman Diggs Brown, former interim State Treasurer Mark Hillman, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, and state Sen. Greg Brophy — and check back at Elevated Voices each weekday at around noon for more Pelzer on politics.

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