Musgrave Opponent Drops Out Of Race

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) may have dodged a political bullet yesterday.

One of her top rivals, state senator Brandon Shaffer, opted to pass up an opportunity to run for Congress even after he announced he would form an exploratory committee several weeks ago.  In a statement, he said he wanted to remain in the state legislature.

“The support has been tremendous, but at this point in time I feel I can have a greater positive effect if I stay in the state Senate,” Shaffer said in a statement.

Shaffer was considered a rising, young prospect in Colorado Democratic circles.  Upon his initial campaign announcement , he suggested that other Democrats clear the field for his candidacy.  

His departure leaves former Larimer County Democratic chairwoman Betsy Markey, 2006 Democratic nominee Angie Paccione, and 2006 Reform party nominee Eric Eidsness as potential challengers to Musgrave. 

Markey secured the endorsements of several key Democrats in the state legislature upon her announcement., giving her an early organizational edge on the opposition. However, Markey -- a former aide to Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) -- has no prior elective experience.