“I’m just ready to move on.” Maybe to mayor.
Running city of Aurora might be in Coffman’s future
Mike Coffman was seemingly invincible — until he wasn’t.
In the weeks since President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in Colorado resulted in acrossthe-board misfortune for Republican candidates Nov. 6, including Coffman, the five-term suburban Denver congressman has been pondering his next step. One option is close to home.
“I’ve been getting calls to run for mayor of the city of Aurora — but I’m going to hold off on even thinking about that” until next year, he said during an exit interview with The Denver Post last week.
Coffman, 63, has served almost continuously in elected office since 1989, except during overseas military service in the Persian Gulf and Iraq wars.
He had survived three consecutive, strong Democratic challenges in his redrawn swing district. On Jan. 3, he will pass the 6th Congressional District’s baton to Jason Crow, the wellsupported Democrat who defeated Coffman by 11 percentage points.
Recently divorced from outgoing Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, Mike Coffman says he may consider not only a run for Aurora mayor but also private-sector possibilities. Aurora’s top office is up in the November 2019 election, and it’s expected to be an open race.
But Coffman said he has ruled out seeking another partisan office like those he occupied in the state legislature and as Colorado treasurer, secretary of state and, finally, representative for the 6th District.
“Washington, D.C., was hyper-partisan, and I just want a change,” he said.
Here are excerpts from his comments, which have been edited for clarity and slightly condensed.
Feelings about leaving Congress:
“Well, I’m glad I had the experience. I worked hard to get re-elected. It didn’t happen, but I’m just ready to move on. It’s odd: I think that for members who are there for a shorter period of time, and they don’t get reelected, it’s hard on them. But 10 years is longer than I’ve been in any office.”
Thinking about what’s next:
“First I want to do something that is not political. I want to do some fundraising, just as a volunteer. I’m looking at some veterans groups or (groups for) first responders. A lot of people would like my help, and there are going to be some hard choices. I can’t spread myself too thin.”
Appeal of the Aurora mayor’s office:
“Well, it’s nonpartisan. I grew up here. I’ve spent my whole life here. My business was here. The frustration of Washington is you have to concentrate on just a few areas to really make a difference, and then so much of the power is at the top, at the committee chairman level.
“I think at the local level, you’re just directly in contact with the people. You’re not removed. And you see the results of your politics very directly. One of the things I love about (being a congressman) is the constituent work.”
President Trump as a major factor in his race: “I was told at
the beginning, by the (National Republican Congressional Committee), that you have to try to localize this race. You have to make this race a referendum on you. If it’s nationalized and it’s a referendum on the president, you’re not going to win.
“And, it was nationalized. I couldn’t help that. I’m trying to look at this historically — the first midterm for a new president, particularly when they control the House and Senate, is