Making big waves this week, state Sen. Tim Neville’s announcement that he is thinking about making another announcement – possibly, after prayer and reflection, and doing some listening touring-type stuff with folks around the state first – has caused quite a stir in the political hen-house. Like an electronic precursor to an earthquake, we at The Colorado Statesman felt this one rumbling before it hit when chatter went a-swirling through political and social media pipelines at the beginning of the week.

The godfather of what has been tagged a “political dynasty” – a term fashioned for the Neville family by Lynn Bartels, formerly of The Denver Post – Neville’s possible intentions became known when an invitation to join Frank and Christy Rodriguez and state Rep. Lori Saine in Greeley on Sept. 12 surfaced on Facebook. The event is dubbed a “conversation” about the Colorado U.S. Senate Race. In political-speak, a “conversation” typically means, you know, you’re basically in – or at least you’re in search of coordinated infusions of some oh-so-sweet cash into the old Super PAC, and, yeah, then you’re in.

In a brief conversation with The Statesman, Neville confirmed our seismometer readings. “We are looking at it,” Neville responded when asked about potentially challenging U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. “I’m praying about it with my family and we are currently on a listening tour with supporters.”

Neville would be joining a field of other Republicans already announced – though they’re all second- and third-stringers, at best – including Charles Ehler, El Paso County Commissioner Daryl Glenn and Greg Lopez.

There is also rumbling – but perhaps it’s just 2014 aftershocks – that state Sen. Randy “The Stache” Baumgardner is looking at making another go of it, taking on Bennet and his recently displayed blood-in-the-water weaknesses. Former Aurora Councilman Ryan Frazier, who has run for all manor of offices, including Congress, the U.S. Senate and mayor of that swelling burg, is also mentioned as a potential candidate.

Recently made famous for tragic reasons, but doing a darned good job handling himself and his job, 18th Judicial DA George Brauchler is also on the radar for the heavily targeted Senate seat. But many powerful business insiders tell us they want Brauchler to stay on the bench and wait two years to run for governor – or, perhaps an even better fit, the golden-haired golden boy would make a less gaffe-ridden attorney general in the near future. Perhaps Brauchler is listening to some of these concerns. As we reported this week, he is considering a run, but has made little progress reaching a decision since the beginning of the year. That doesn’t necessarily mean a lot, especially since Brauchler was neck-deep in the Holmes mass-murder trial for most of that time.

Still, despite the musings in a Politico article that posted this week, Brauchler isn’t alone as a potential Tier 1 candidate entry into the field. Names including state Senate President Bill Cadman and Denver business magnate Christian Anschutz have also been catching some buzz.

So why all the rumbling?

First, Bennet is weak in the polls and it’s a swing seat – the phone lines have been jammed more than usual with GOP 202 area codes dialing into Colorado in search of a viable contender.

Second, Bennet is about to say something – at least he pretty much has to – about his decision, or perhaps more accurately, lack of decision – on the Iran nuclear deal. Bennet, our sources contend, has failed miserably to take a leadership position on the Iran deal, waiting until his vote on a congressional resolution to reject it really doesn’t mean much, since President Obama is now veto-override-proof. Bennet’s vote, that is, doesn’t mean much except to answer whether he lives up to his promises to Colorado’s Jewish community and past supporters who are strongly opposed to the deal and legitimately concerned for Israel’s security.

The GOP is bound to capitalize on the perception Bennet lacks foreign policy muscle. And a candidate like King Tim of the Neville Dynasty – truly a star among conservative, Tea Party circles – could be wise to propel his campaign into what could easily develop into a free-for-all when influential state leaders livid with Bennet over his wishy-washiness take to the streets. The field of Bennet challengers could swell soon, though Neville’s prayers and listening tour might well tell him the iron is hot.

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