Brief by Central Staff
Politics – September 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
Hefley might face a challenge
Joel Hefley, who has served nine terms representing Colorado’s 5th Congressional District in Washington, may face a challenge for the Republican nomination next year.
The 5th District currently comprises El Paso, Teller, Frémont, Chaffee, Park, and Lake counties; the rest of Central Colorado and the San Luis Valley are in the 3rd District, represented by John Salazar.
John Anderson of Colorado Springs (not the former state senator from Centennial, but the former El Paso County sheriff) has formed an exploratory committee.
Like Hefley, Anderson is a Republican. He said that Hefley has done a good job, but there might be “a groundswell for some type of change” after nearly 20 years.
Until the end of the year, Anderson’s exploratory committee will be going around the district to look for that groundswell. Anderson said that Hefley’s decision to either seek re-election or return will be a factor in his decision, but he has not ruled out a challenge.
Anderson took office as El Paso County Sheriff in 1995, and made news there after he issued concealed-carry permits to anyone who passed a background check. Previously, citizens had to show they needed a permit because they had been threatened or victimized. There were few problems, and the legislature extended the system statewide.
Hefley, who is 70, has not announced whether he will run again, but he typically waits until later in the election cycle to make an announcement. But “As it stands now, you can count on Congressman Hefley running for another term,” according to Kim Sears in his office.
