Former state Rep. Joe Salazar has decided that running for Congress or the U.S. Senate is not what’s best for his community, and we couldn’t agree more!
“After careful self reflection, particularly taking into consideration family obligations and the local needs of my community, I have decided that now is not the time to run for Congress,” Salazar said in a written statement.
Salazar is declining to run for the new 8th District congressional seat that hasn’t even been finalized yet.
We’re not aware of anyone, other than his own ego, actually encouraging Salazar to run for any elected office.
Last we heard Salazar was thinking about challenging U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet for the Democratic nomination, calling him out as too wishy-washy.
Here’s what Salazar was saying earlier this year:
“This is a Bernie state. People need to come to accept that. He can’t even compel himself to think in a progressive way because he thinks Colorado is a purple state, when we’re not. We’re solid blue.”
Colorado Politics says Salazar has changed his mind about running for that office, too.
We’re guessing the Democrat Powers That Be inside the Beltway came down on Salazar pretty hard for daring to challenge one of their vulnerable Dems, what with the Senate majority hanging in the balance by one vote.
It turns out, Salazar said, that he can uplift disenfranchised voices from Colorado just as easily as he can from Washington, D.C.
He also advised Democrat candidates running for federal office this cycle to take on the hard issues, like climate change.
As if climate change has ever been a controversial issue for a Democrat candidate.
Please. Slam the door on your way out.
Democrat State Rep. Yadira Caraveo has already declared she will run for the new congressional district.
Also considering a run on the Democrat side are state Sen. Dominick Moreno of Commerce City and Adams County Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco, Colorado Politics reports.
Photographer Giulianna “Jewels” Gray has already announced for the GOP nomination, while state Sens. Kevin Priola of Henderson and John Cooke of Greeley are also considering a run.