Western Democrats form group to help win president in 2008 and bring attention to region

A group of influential Democrats from the West are joining forces to try to elect the Democratic presidential candidate in 2008.

And though N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson is the only presidential hopeful among the group, it apparently won’t endorse any candidate, according to the Denver Post.

The New West Project will be headquartered in Denver and will be tasked with researching and developing strategies for continuing recent Democratic gains in Western states, the Post reported. It will also aim to focus attention on the West.

Richardson will be one of four Western governors leading the group’s advisory council, along with Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Brian Schweitzer of Montana and Colorado Governor-elect Bill Ritter.

Democratic members of Congress from the West will provide guidance to the group, the Post reported.

The group will help candidates better understand the West and how to reach its voters, and will promote Western values in the party. It will also aim to make issues such as water, energy, public lands and immigration national priorities.

The group will be a nonprofit and will raise its own money, the Post reported.