A Grand Junction businessman is thinking about running for the Republican nomination for the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Ray Scott said that he is forming an exploratory committee and setting up meetings ahead of an upcoming listening tour. The idea is for Scott to learn more about the concerns of Colorado residents, and what they expect from the 3rd District representative.

“Citizens seem to feel disconnected from their elected officials. They need someone who will not only listen to their problems but has faced some of those same problems,” Scott said in a statement.

The listening tour is scheduled to run from Aug. 30 through Sept. 30.

Scott, who notes that he owns Gas Products Corp., Coolwater Homes and Skyline Warehouse in Grand Junction, can be reached at 888-743-9117.

He has also set up a campaign Web site at www.rayscottforcolorado.com.

Beauprez decides against Senate bid

Odds makers at Coloradopols.com might want to update The Blue Line handicap index given a recent announcement by former Bob Beauprez, who has apparently decided not to run for the U.S. Senate.

Beauprez made a blog post earlier this week that rules out a run for the Senate in 2010. He wrote, in part, while he keeps his eyes open for ways to make a difference not each opportunity is the right one.

Beauprez said he and his wife, Claudia, considered a run for the office very carefully.

“However after significant reflection, I will not be a candidate for the Senate in 2010,” wrote Beauprez, who resides in Lafayette.

The post can be viewed at blog.bobbeauprez.com. Of note, The Blue Line considers Beauprez to be a 35-1 shot.

Gubernatorial poll

A recently released polling of Colorado voters showed that former Congressman Scott McInnis holds a 46 percent to 38 percent advantage on Gov. Bill Ritter in a presumed head-to-head match up.

The poll also found state Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry and Ritter at tied with 40 percent each.

The Public Policy Polling survey queried 969 Colorado voters from Aug. 14-16. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.2 percent.

Quote of the week

“An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.”

President Barack Obama on the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. He died earlier this week at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 77.