Gardner scores CD4 endorsement from former rival Brown

Fort Collins City Council member Diggs Brown has endorsed state Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, in the 4th Congressional District race, according to Fort Collins Coloradoan Editor Bob Moore. Brown ranked second in the 4th CD race among GOP caucus voters Tuesday night. Gardner, the apparent front-runner in the GOP primary for months, pulled down a major victory among the four primary candidates in the caucus straw poll.

Moore tweeted the Gardner announcement as it happened. It was scheduled for 5 pm Wednesday night.

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In a blog posted earlier in the day, Moore had speculated that Brown would announce he was dropping out of the Congressional race, endorse Gardner and perhaps report he was running for a seat in the Colorado House– the seat representing District 52, currently held by Democrat John Kefalas but held by a Republican just four years ago.

According to Moore’s latest dispatch, however, Brown has announced only that he will become co-chair of the Gardner campaign, making no mention of running for state office.

Gardner was selected in the fall to join the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Gun” program, which provides training and support for promising candidates.

CU Regent Tom Lucero and Tea Party regular guy Dean Madere remain CD4 GOP primary candidates despite making poor showings in Tuesday night’s caucus and struggling to raise funds.

The four men– Brown, Gardner, Lucero and Madere– have been vying for the chance to run against Democratic Rep. Betsy Markey in the swing district.

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