Tom Tancredo could be the next candidate to throw his hat into the ring for the gubernatorial race.

A petition is already circulating urging the former congressman to run, and Tancredo told Colorado Politics “it wouldn’t take much” to push him into the race.

“If I decide to run (for governor), I won’t have to be drafted,” Tancredo told Colorado Politics in an email Tuesday night. “I am so mad at the Republicans who are presently in office or in the hunt for not speaking out in defense of free speech that it won’t take much to push me over the line. This Colorado Springs thing is infuriating.”

Although Tancredo quit the Republican Party several years ago, it appears he would rejoin and run in the GOP primary.

This would be the third gubernatorial campaign for Tancredo, who last ran in the 2014 primary.
So far, the declared GOP lineup includes District Attorney George Brauchler, businessman Doug Robinson, former state Rep. Victor Mitchell, Trump campaign official Steve Barlock, Larimer County Commissioner Lew Gaiter III, former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez and activist Jim Rundberg.

Also considering a run for the Republican nomination are State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and former CSU Athletic Director Jack Graham.

So far, the declared Democratic lineup includes U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, former state Sen. Mike Johnston, former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, and Noel Ginsberg.