Former Rhode Island Mayor Leaves Colorado Governor's Race

DENVER (AP) — A former Rhode Island mayor bowed out of Colorado's governor's race after three days as a candidate.

Stephen P. Laffey said he is deferring to former Rep. Tom Tancredo, who announced on Thursday that he intended to run on the Republican ticket. Laffey said he agrees with most of Tancredo's positions and there was no need to run.

"When I entered this race there was no one else who had the capability to bring the case for Limited Government, Freedom and Jobs to the people of Colorado," Laffey said in a statement. "In this case, Tom and I agree on much, plus he is a good and honorable man, has a great background for the job, and will work towards producing more freedom for the people of Colorado."

Laffey is the former mayor of Cranston, R.I. He unsuccessfully challenged that state's lone Republican in congress, Sen. Lincoln Chafee, in a GOP primary in 2006. He moved to Colorado three years ago.

He had said on Tuesday that he would run for his new state's governorship because it needs better leadership.

Colorado's Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler is also mulling a run. Most analysts believe it will be difficult for Republicans to unseat the state's current governor, Democrat John Hickenlooper.

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