DENVER, March 10 (UPI) -- Colorado Democrat Mark Udall says he will be a candidate for U.S. Senate now that the GOP incumbent, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, has decided to retire.
Udall, who represents the state's 2nd Congressional District, originally declined to run for Campbell's seat despite a concerted effort by leading Colorado Democrats to get him into the race.
Speculation now centers on whether Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar will also enter the Democratic primary.
Salazar and Udall, a scion of the famous U.S. western political family, are two of the state's most popular Democrats. The race leading up to the Aug. 10 primary, which currently includes self-funding software millionaire and think tank founder Rutt Bridges, could be especially nasty.
Political sources in the state say Bridges, who entered the race as the front runner once Udall and other prominent Democrats said they would not run against Campbell, might leave the race if Salazar decides to get into it.
