Tancredo Threatens to Enter Colorado Gubernatorial Primary as Third-Party Candidate

Strategic Insights -

Tancredo, a former Republican congressman and popular figure in Colorado, has vowed to enter the state's gubernatorial primary as the candidate of the American Constitution Party unless the two Republican hopefuls, McInnis and Maes, agree to his conditions. Those conditions are for the winner of the primary to withdraw if they trail the likely Democratic nominee, John Hickenlooper, by more than a small margin. Tancredo believes that with his entry into the race, he can prevent the election of Hickenlooper and give the Republicans a better chance of winning.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tancredo has issued an ultimatum to the two Republican primary hopefuls, McInnis and Maes, to drop out of the race if they trail the likely Democratic nominee, John Hickenlooper, after the primary.
  • Tancredo will enter the gubernatorial primary as the candidate of the American Constitution Party if his conditions are not met.
  • The conditions are for the winner of the primary to withdraw if they trail Hickenlooper by more than a small margin.
  • Tancredo believes that he can prevent the election of Hickenlooper and give the Republicans a better chance of winning.
  • Tancredo is a polarizing figure nationally, but he remains one of the most popular Republicans in Colorado.
  • A SurveyUSA poll taken after the plagiarism scandal broke showed Tancredo leading all potential Republican gubernatorial candidates.
  • A half-dozen county party leaders have called on Tancredo to back down from his threat.
  • State Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams called Tancredo's candidacy a "big ego trip" and a liability for every Republican in the race.

Statistics:

  • 50%: The percentage of Republicans in Colorado who disapprove of Tancredo's decision to enter the primary (according to a SurveyUSA poll).
  • 22%: The percentage of Republicans in Colorado who approve of Tancredo's decision to enter the primary (according to a SurveyUSA poll).
  • $5,000: The fine amount that Maes was recently fined for campaign-spending violations.
  • 14 days: The time frame between the plagiarism scandal breaking and Tancredo's ultimatum to the Republican hopefuls.

Sources:

  • THE WASHINGTON TIMES: "Tancredo set for showdown in Colorado Republican gubernatorial primary - Washington Times"
  • SurveyUSA: "Tancredo leads in Colorado's gubernatorial primary"