TROY EID WITHDRAWS FROM AG RACE IN LIGHT OF SUTHERS DECISION: Troy Eid is definitely out of the attorney general race now that Suthers has decided to seek re-election. There hasn't been any public word yet from Ken Buck, the other potential Republican replacement for Suthers, but it's safe to bet he will be looking at CD-4 instead.

SCOTT MCINNIS FLOATS NAME FOR GOVERNOR... AGAIN...: Hardly surprising, but former Rep. Scott McInnis is continuing his streak of floating his name for every office in every single election cycle. As much I like Scott, this is starting to get old. Immediately after mentioning his own name for governor, he floated Josh Penry's name for the office as well. Penry says he's not thinking about running for anything now, and probably isn't. Unfortunately, Penry seems to be picking up his political mentor's bad habit of agonizing over every open office that comes along.

In a surprising move, John Suthers has reversed course and decided not to stand as a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010. Chris Rizo at LegalNewsline reports:

As for a possible Senate bid, Suthers said while it is a "marvelous opportunity" and that he would be able to be a viable candidate against Salazar's successor, Democrat and former Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet.

Suthers said the fundraising demands would be too onerous.

This is a very sudden reversal for Suthers. His U.S. Senate candidacy had been considered by most insiders a "sure thing" earlier this month. Only in the last few days did rumors begin to spread that Suthers was getting cold feet.

His run for U.S. Senate was considered so likely that Weld County D.A. Ken Buck and U.S. attorney Troy Eid were already gathering support to run for attorney general, Suthers' current job. Buck has previously hinted at an interest in running for CD-4 while Troy Eid has hinted at an interest in running for, well, anything...

As for the Senate race, the departure of Suthers could create an opening for someone like Mark Hillman or Ryan Frazier to tie up a considerable amount of early support now freed up.

Weld County D.A. Ken Buck has been looking at both running for attorney general and challenging Betsy Markey in CD-4. He now looks to be settling on running for attorney general in 2010. The Loveland Connection reports:

Buck spoke briefly to Larimer County Republican activists who gathered Saturday to elect Kevin Lundberg to fill a vacant state Senate seat previously held by Steve Johnson. He told the group that Attorney General John Suthers — who is expected to seek the GOP U.S. Senate nomination — has announced he wouldn’t run for his current seat in 2010.

“I am going to make an announcement in February,” Buck said, adding that legal restrictions prevented him from being more specific until he filed appropriate paperwork.

Outgoing U.S. attorney Troy Eid has already announced his intention to run. Republicans now face the very real possibility of a primary for every statewide office in 2010 (primaries in the governor, senate, and secretary of state races are likely; it remains to be seen who will run for treasurer).

YOU TOO, CAN MEET SENATOR WHO: Bill Ritter is set to take Michael Bennet on a tour of the state to try and cure him of his Joe Biden-style anonymity.

POTENTIAL STICKING POINT FOR EID A.G. BIG: Face the State reports that Troy Eid's wife, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Allison Eid, will resign if Troy Eid wins election as Attorney General. This could be a sticking point if Bill Ritter wins re-election, so expect to see this used against Eid if anyone runs in the primary against him.

Outgoing U.S. attorney Troy Eid has announced he will run for Attorney General in 2010.

Eid had previously stated he was looking at a run for Governor, U.S. Senate, and CD-7. Attorney General would seem to be a more logical position for him to seek. He has been added to the 2010 candidate directory, which is tracking announced GOP candidates for office.

MAYBE BALMER SHOULD BE THE ONE RESIGNING: Jeremy Pelzer reports that a lawyer is going to be named in a complaint by the end of the week for offering campaign money in exchange for a vote for David Balmer for Minority Leader. This is on top of a lobbyist named in the Denver Post as allegedly doing the same thing.

TROY EID FOR EVERYTHING!: The Denver Post is now reporting that Troy Eid is interested in running for CD-7, in addition to U.S. Senate and Governor as was previously reported. I can't say I'm a fan after his odd rant about "faceless bloggers" criticizing his job performance. He better develop a much thicker skin if he seriously wants to run statewide.