Colorado Governor Bows Out of Race

ABC News’ Clayton Sandell reports: Democratic Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has made it official — he will not seek a second term in office. “I am no longer going to be a candidate for reelection in 2010,” he announced today at a press conference, confirming news that had been widely reported Tuesday night. Ritter was greeted by applause as he walked to the podium in the West Foyer of the Colorado state capitol building in Denver. “It is my privilege and honor to serve as governor of the greatest state in America,” Ritter began. The governor, who is married with three children, said that he has tried to balance many roles and that “tension” between his private and public life drove his decision to drop out. “It is my family who has sacrificed the most,” said Ritter, choking up.  “I haven’t found the proper balance where my family is concerned.” He repeatedly insisted the decision was his own, and that polling and fundraising were not a concern. “There was no pressure to get out of the race,” he said.
 
Ritter, a former Catholic missionary who served as the Denver District Attorney for 12 years, thanked his campaign and gubernatorial staff.  He said that he felt he could win reelection and was “fully committed” to the campaign, but made his decision after much thought over the holidays. Ritter, 53, was asked if he was worried about handing the state over to Republicans. “The Democratic party has a very deep bench.  There are a lot of people who are able to step in and do this job,” he said. Among the Democrats rumored to be weighing a bid for the governorship is former U.S. senator from Colorado and current Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who dodged questions about a possible run during a conference call with reporters earlier today. “I’m not going to comment on that. The governor has not yet made his formal announcement and there are other conversations that are going on in Colorado,” Salazar said, per the Washington Post’s Ed O’Keefe.