Politics

Pressure mounting on GOP candidate Maes to withdraw from guv race

Pat McMahon Contributor
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By next Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, there could be a new Republican candidate for governor to replace current nominee Dan Maes. Names again are circulating as possible replacements, including the 2006 Republican candidate for governor, Bob Beauprez, and Jane Norton, the former lieutenant governor who recently lost the GOP Senate primary to Ken Buck.

Although Maes said Wednesday he is no longer talking to the press, Republicans statewide could hardly contain their speculation that the rookie candidate might be replaced on the ballot by early next week.

According to sources in the Colorado Republican Party and elsewhere interviewed Wednesday by The Colorado Statesman, major escalating problems and daunting revelations about Maes’ gubernatorial candidacy — with still more possible bombshells to drop — could unravel any hopes Maes has to stay on as the GOP standard bearer by Friday, prompting the state party to convene a special vacancy committee to select a new nominee after the required five-day advance notice. If that happened, the meeting could be held Tuesday, Sept. 7, and a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office said that even though the general election ballot is set to be certified this Friday, Sept. 3, there is probably enough wiggle room for county clerks to update ballots next week if necessary.

On Wednesday, former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, a Republican, withdrew his official endorsement of Maes after The Denver Post reported that the candidate had embellished his history in law enforcement in Kansas decades ago.

“I’m concerned about the revelations. I’m withdrawing my endorsement,” Brown told The Post. “I’m beginning to find that (Maes’) explanations are not adequate.”

Full story: Pressure mounting on GOP candidate Maes to withdraw from guv race | Colorado Statesman