Editor’s note: This is the Herald’s weekly roundup of campaign news.

Conservation groups have begun to weigh in for state Rep. Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, in his campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez.

The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund on Friday endorsed Pace.

“Sal Pace has proven himself a champion in protecting the spectacular natural beauty of the Colorado landscape, the quality of its rivers and the health of its citizens,” said the group’s president, Gene Karpinski, in a news release.

Although the group frequently endorses Democrats, it has made a major impact in the past. In 2004, when Democrat John Salazar beat Republican Greg Walcher, ads by the League of Conservation Voters were instrumental in damaging Walcher for his vote for a water bond that many people on the Western Slope feared was a Front Range water grab.

Also, the Colorado Wildlife Federation began radio ads against Tipton because of his vote this month on an oil-shale bill. Tipton voted against requiring a study of water availability before the federal government could lease more Western Colorado land to oil companies.

“We’re puzzled. Why would a sportsman like Scott Tipton vote to oppose a study on the effects commercial oil shale development could have on our water and wildlife habitat right at a time when our water managers are worried about running dry?”

Daniel Scarpinato, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, wasn’t fazed.

“You know you’re doing something right when a group of radical anti-job environmentalists support your opponent. Sal Pace has done nothing but destroy jobs and put his political allies ahead of Coloradans. Sounds like the perfect fit for this radical organization,” Scarpinato said.

Gov. Gessler? Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler told The Denver Post that he is not interested in running for governor in 2014 unless Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, does not run. Polls show Hickenlooper as one of the country’s most popular governors.

Gessler registered a campaign committee last month, Coloradans for Gessler, but the committee’s sole purpose is to support his bid for re-election as Secretary of State.

Clarification: Last week’s campaign roundup reported inaccurate information about state House candidate Patrick Swonger, a Silverton Democrat. The state Democratic Party ruled Swonger ineligible to participate in the House District 59 assembly, but he can still get on the ballot for the June Democratic primary by gathering about 1,000 petition signatures.

Swonger said in an email to the Herald that he has gathered about 300 signatures and expects to meet the April 2 deadline for his petition drive. Durango Democrat Mike McLachlan is also in the race, as well as unaffiliated candidate James McMillan. The incumbent, Rep. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, is running for re-election.

Countdown: 262 days until the November election.

jhanel@durangoherald.com