OPINION

Who's in, who's out: Secretary of state

IN THE RACE: Terry Goddard, Democrat. EXPERIENCE: Former attorney general. CHANCES: Goddard initially said he was eyeing a run for either attorney general or secretary of state, but some in the party pushed him to run for secretary of state because Democrat Felecia Rotellini is already in the attorney general's race. He's a shoe-in the primary, but the general may be another question.
IN THE RACE: Terry Goddard, Democrat. EXPERIENCE: Former attorney general. CHANCES: Goddard initially said he was eyeing a run for either attorney general or secretary of state, but some in the party pushed him to run for secretary of state because Democrat Felecia Rotellini is already in the attorney general's race. He's a shoe-in the primary, but the general may be another question.
Tom Tingle/The Republic
IN THE RACE: Michele Reagan, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Current state senator. CHANCES: Reagan has been approached to run for corporation commission but remains steadfast as the only moderate Republican in this race. The nagging question: Will enough moderate Republicans vote in this election to help her effectively compete with her more conservative opponents?
IN THE RACE: Michele Reagan, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Current state senator. CHANCES: Reagan has been approached to run for corporation commission but remains steadfast as the only moderate Republican in this race. The nagging question: Will enough moderate Republicans vote in this election to help her effectively compete with her more conservative opponents?
Mark Henle/The Republic
IN THE RACE: Wil Cardon, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Ran unsuccessfully against Jeff Flake in 2012 for U.S. Senate. CHANCES: Cardon has heaps of his own money to fuel his campaign and is expected to throw jabs at anyone who stands in his way. Cardon already has accused Justin Pierce of using his father's influence as a corporation commissioner to solicit campaign donations. Expect a -- um, how should we say this? -- spirited Republican primary with Cardon's name in the race.
IN THE RACE: Wil Cardon, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Ran unsuccessfully against Jeff Flake in 2012 for U.S. Senate. CHANCES: Cardon has heaps of his own money to fuel his campaign and is expected to throw jabs at anyone who stands in his way. Cardon already has accused Justin Pierce of using his father's influence as a corporation commissioner to solicit campaign donations. Expect a -- um, how should we say this? -- spirited Republican primary with Cardon's name in the race.
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OUT OF THE RACE: Jack Harper, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Former state lawmaker. CHANCES: Harper declared his intentions early to run for this seat. His exploratory committee was formed in 2008 and remained active through 2012, but he has since terminated it. Field too crowded with conservative lawmakers, perhaps?
OUT OF THE RACE: Jack Harper, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Former state lawmaker. CHANCES: Harper declared his intentions early to run for this seat. His exploratory committee was formed in 2008 and remained active through 2012, but he has since terminated it. Field too crowded with conservative lawmakers, perhaps?
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OUT OF THE RACE: Leah Landrum Taylor, Democrat. EXPERIENCE: Current state senator. CHANCES: At first, it seemed that Landrum Taylor had a lock on the primary. The only other Democrat in the race, Christopher Campas, is relatively unknown. Then Landrum Taylor was ousted as Senate minority leader, and another Democrat heavy-hitter, former Attorney General Terry Goddard, jumped into the race. That was that.
OUT OF THE RACE: Leah Landrum Taylor, Democrat. EXPERIENCE: Current state senator. CHANCES: At first, it seemed that Landrum Taylor had a lock on the primary. The only other Democrat in the race, Christopher Campas, is relatively unknown. Then Landrum Taylor was ousted as Senate minority leader, and another Democrat heavy-hitter, former Attorney General Terry Goddard, jumped into the race. That was that.
Michael Schennum / The Republic
OUT OF THE RACE: Steve Montenegro, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Current state representative. CHANCES: Montenegro came out of the gate strong, lining up the support of key conservatives and "tea party" types for a potential run. But he quickly withdrew and endorsed Cardon when Cardon entered the race.
OUT OF THE RACE: Steve Montenegro, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Current state representative. CHANCES: Montenegro came out of the gate strong, lining up the support of key conservatives and "tea party" types for a potential run. But he quickly withdrew and endorsed Cardon when Cardon entered the race.
Jack Kurtz /The Republic
IN THE RACE: Justin Pierce, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Current state representative. CHANCES: This "tea party" ally has officially kicked off his campaign and is lining up financial backing to compete with Wil Cardon's millions for the conservative vote. If by chance Pierce emerges the victor, he'll likely be battered and bruised going into the general. Cardon already is throwing jabs at him.
IN THE RACE: Justin Pierce, Republican. EXPERIENCE: Current state representative. CHANCES: This "tea party" ally has officially kicked off his campaign and is lining up financial backing to compete with Wil Cardon's millions for the conservative vote. If by chance Pierce emerges the victor, he'll likely be battered and bruised going into the general. Cardon already is throwing jabs at him.
David Wallace/The Republic