Mayor Webb To Run For U.S. Senator?
Spokesman Says He Is Considering Run, But Hasn't Announced Any Decision
DENVER -- After more than a decade of leading the city of Denver, there was word Tuesday morning that Denver Mayor Wellington Webb may be considering leaving the Mile High City for Washington DC.
He may challenge Senator Wayne Allard in the 2002 election.
The Washington-based Roll Call newspaper reported Tuesday that Colorado Democrats expect Webb to make a final decision this week and could announce his intentions at the annual State of the City speech next Monday.
Webb spokesman Andrew Hudson only said that the mayor is considering a run but hasn't made a decision.
"If he chose to do it, he would be a formidable candidate," Hudson said. "A lot of Denver's progress, he can take a lot of credit for. And that progress has translated to the rest of the
state."
Webb's term as mayor of Denver expires in the spring of 2003.
The leading Democratic contender for U.S. Senate in 1996, Former U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland, said Wednesday that he will not run again in 2002 if Webb decides to join the race. Strickland narrowly lost to Republican Sen. Wayne Allard in 1996, and has traveled the state and country to build interest in a possible candidacy. Even so, he says he would defer to Webb.
Another Democratic contender, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, said that he wouldn't join the fray if Webb decides to do so.
Democrats want to avoid a primary battle before challenging Allard.
If he were to win, Webb would be the third black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. Massachusetts' Edward Brooke served from 1967 to 1979, and Carol Mosely-Braun served in the 1990s.
Webb's prominence as mayor of Denver could be his biggest liability. In Colorado, battles over water, transportation and state funds have made Denver the city many Coloradans love to hate.
"His major challenge as he goes out is that he has to convince people he is not your normal image of a big-city minority mayor," said Denver pollster Floyd Ciruli. "A person who is very liberal, not tough on crime, favors tax increases."
Webb's wife, Wilma, is also weighing a Democratic primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in the Denver-based 1st Congressional District.
He may challenge Senator Wayne Allard in the 2002 election.
The Washington-based Roll Call newspaper reported Tuesday that Colorado Democrats expect Webb to make a final decision this week and could announce his intentions at the annual State of the City speech next Monday.
Webb spokesman Andrew Hudson only said that the mayor is considering a run but hasn't made a decision.
"If he chose to do it, he would be a formidable candidate," Hudson said. "A lot of Denver's progress, he can take a lot of credit for. And that progress has translated to the rest of the
state."
Webb's term as mayor of Denver expires in the spring of 2003.
The leading Democratic contender for U.S. Senate in 1996, Former U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland, said Wednesday that he will not run again in 2002 if Webb decides to join the race. Strickland narrowly lost to Republican Sen. Wayne Allard in 1996, and has traveled the state and country to build interest in a possible candidacy. Even so, he says he would defer to Webb.
Another Democratic contender, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, said that he wouldn't join the fray if Webb decides to do so.
Democrats want to avoid a primary battle before challenging Allard.
If he were to win, Webb would be the third black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. Massachusetts' Edward Brooke served from 1967 to 1979, and Carol Mosely-Braun served in the 1990s.
Webb's prominence as mayor of Denver could be his biggest liability. In Colorado, battles over water, transportation and state funds have made Denver the city many Coloradans love to hate.
"His major challenge as he goes out is that he has to convince people he is not your normal image of a big-city minority mayor," said Denver pollster Floyd Ciruli. "A person who is very liberal, not tough on crime, favors tax increases."
Webb's wife, Wilma, is also weighing a Democratic primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in the Denver-based 1st Congressional District.Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
