If Salazar lost in 2004, he would have ran for Governor in 2006. Strickland may have decided that 3 times the charm for Allard’s seat.
You might be right about his pursuit of the Governorship, but I think he preferred the Senate. That might’ve been a really vicious and brutal primary between Ritter and Salazar, had both run. I seriously doubt the Dems would’ve allowed Tom Strickland to run uncontested a 3rd time. A rematch is one thing, but not 3 times. A Senate seat is too important to risk on a perennial loser.