Brauchler Not Running For U.S. Senate
DENVER (CBS4) - Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler says he will not run for U.S. Senate.
Brauchler was widely considered the Republicans' best hope for beating incumbent Michael Bennet, but he says he's not making the decision based on what's best for his party, but rather his four children -- ages 5 through 12 -- and his wife of 16 years.
"Over the past few weeks since I have been out of the courtroom, I have given a great deal of consideration to what my future service would be. I spent time talking with family, friends, and neighbors about the possibility of taking on a new challenge," Brauchler said in a statement. "Throughout my discussions and deliberation, I have made it clear that a top consideration for me would be how any decision would impact my family, my wife and our four wonderful kids."
Brauchler said "now is not the right time for me and my family for me to make a run for the United States Senate."
He said he's going to seek focus on seeking re-election as the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District.
"I will ask them for the privilege of a second and final term," Brauchler said.
The Senate race could have implications for the Republicans' control of the Senate and the GOP presidential nominee's chances of winning Colorado.
Some Democrats have attacked the district attorney for seeking the death penalty in the Aurora theater shooting trial, saying it was to further his political ambitions. Brauchler says, "For those out there that have maligned the decision and tried to attribute to it some other motivations other than seeking justice, I would say, 'Tell us what you would have done. Would you have sat across from the mass murderer's attorneys and said tell us what would he be willing to do? What would he be willing to accept not to have us get justice here?'"
A veteran of the Iraq War, Brauchler says he's been overwhelmed and humbled by all the support from the community. He says people have approached him in the grocery store, at the gas station and coffee shop urging him to run.
There's also been speculation Brauchler would eventually run for governor, but he didn't address that in his statement.