The Denver Post

Newboundar­ies all around

BALANCINGA­CT ONVIEWSHIF­TS ANDPRINCIP­LE HOPEFUL SEEKS SUBURBANVO­TE, ANOTHER START

- By JonMurray By JonMurray

Candidate profiles: 6th Congressio­nal District

AsU.S. Rep. MikeCoffma­nmade the leap from state to federal office in 2008, a national political analyst predicted he could “hold this seat as long as he wants it.”

Coffman could have been forgiven for digging in his heels just three years later, ignoring the perpetual vulnerabil­ity handed to him by a Democratic redistrict­ing plan. The newlines transforme­d the rock-ribbed conservati­ve 6th Congressio­nal District, which included south Denver suburbs, into a cutthroat competitiv­e seat. But Coffman chose to fight— and adapt. His reinventio­n could prove key for his survival, but it’s also become a top topic of debate, aswell as Democratic attack ads, as Coffman mounts his second re-election bid since redistrict­ing. In 2012, he squeaked by in a close win.

Coffmanhas made severalmov­es aimed at This is the last in a series of profiles of candidates in key races. Read recent profiles of Gov. John Hickenloop­er, gubernator­ial challenger Bob Beauprez, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and challenger Rep.

Cory Gardner at

When Andrew Romanoff left the state Capitol for the final time asHouse speaker, the political world awaited the talented Denver politician’s next move.

Six years later, everyone’s still waiting to see where he ends up, including the battered, bruised and rebornRoma­noff. He has recovered froma stinging intraparty loss in the 2010U.S. Senate primary to take onU.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, a three-term incumbent Republican representi­ng suburban Denver.

Despite his fundraisin­g prowess and knack for energizing Democrats, Romanoff’s return to politics 20 months ago — coinciding with his move into the 6th Congressio­nal District — has been anything but easy.

Romanoff, 48, prefers not to focus on himself or his career. Asked in The Denver

 ??  ?? U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman is seeking a fourth term in Congress in the 6th District. Kathryn Scott Osler, Denver Post file
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman is seeking a fourth term in Congress in the 6th District. Kathryn Scott Osler, Denver Post file
 ??  ?? Andrew Romanoff ’s political resurrecti­on is an inescapabl­e factor in the race. John Leyba, Denver Post file
Andrew Romanoff ’s political resurrecti­on is an inescapabl­e factor in the race. John Leyba, Denver Post file

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