Sen. Wiens Won't Seek Re-Election

Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, announced this week that he won't seek re-election to the District 4 seat he's held since 2004.

Wiens, who previously considered a run for the open Congressional district 6 seat now held by U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, said he wants to return to the private sector.

"Over the last six years I have gained a great deal of experience and understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Colorado," Wiens wrote in a letter to GOP colleagues Thursday. "I remain committed to working with you to help make Colorado the best possible place to live, work and raise a family. I also know that there are many ways to contribute to the future of Colorado as a private citizen."

Wiens, who served in the House between 2002-2004, would have faced Democrat Joseph Alsup, a Larkspur architect, this autumn.

According to a report posted at PolitickerCO, possible GOP candidates include Castle Rock mayor Randy Reed, senate district 4 GOP chair John Peterson, Colorado State Shooting Association vice-president Dave Gill, and Douglas County Planning Commission member Roger Partridge.

Wiens follows minority leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, Sen. Steve Ward, R-Littleton, and Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, out of the Senate GOP caucus at the end of this legislative session. McElhany and Taylor are term-limited and Ward is a candidate to replace Tancredo in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In addition, Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, may not return. Harvey is also running for Congress and Johnson is seeking a seat on the Larimer County commission.