Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn (R) is considering running for Senate next year, but is likely to base his decision on whether former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R) jumps into the race, the Rocky Mountain News reported.

“We’re considering it. We’re talking to a lot of people,” Rayburn said, but added: “If [Schaffer] was to tell me tomorrow he was going to run, that would completely change around my decision process.”

Rayburn finished a surprising third last year in the 5th district Republican primary, and has been talked about of late as a possible candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Wayne Allard (R), who is retiring.

Former Rep. Scott McInnis (R) has not formally announced, but he is in the process of putting together a campaign team and rounding up GOP donors.

Schaffer, who ran in the 2004 Senate primary and lost to beer mogul Pete Coors (R), said he’ll probably decide on his plans by late summer or early fall.

— David M. Drucker