January 21, 2014 11:22 AM UTC

Jessie Danielson Announces in HD-24

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• by: Colorado Pols

What we first noted last week is now official: Jessie Danielson has announced her candidacy in HD-24 (Wheat Ridge) for what will be an open seat with the retirement of Rep. Sue Schafer. Danielson, the Colorado State Director of America Votes, gets a quote from her boss at America Votes in her press release (full release after the jump):

"Jessie has the local roots, the broad public policy knowledge and the Colorado common sense that we need at the State Capitol," said Joan Fitz-Gerald, former Senate President.

The HD-24 that exists today is not too dissimilar from the HD-24 that was drawn before redistricting in 2010-11, a Wheat Ridge district that has been safely held by Democrats for decades. Republicans may try to make an effort to win the seat in November, only because it is an open seat, but most likely this race will be effectively decided in a Democratic Primary.

Jessie Danielson Announces Candidacy for House District 24

 

Wheat Ridge, CO-Long-time voter rights and women's advocate Jessie Danielson announced her candidacy for Colorado House District 24 today. The seat is now held by Rep. Sue Schafer, who decided not to run again in 2014.

Danielson, a Democrat, is the third generation of her family to live in Wheat Ridge, after growing up on her family's farm near Ault. She is the Colorado State Director of America Votes, and was part of the leadership coalition for Colorado's new election law that mails ballots to all registered voters, makes elections less expensive for counties, and modernizes the election system to help prevent voter fraud.

"Jessie has the local roots, the broad public policy knowledge and the Colorado common sense that we need at the State Capitol," said Joan Fitz-Gerald, former Senate President.

Danielson was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Voter Access and Modernized Election Commission to oversee implementation of the election laws and is a long-time advocate for greater access for everyone in the political process. She also chairs the board of Emerge Colorado that encourages and trains Democratic women to run for office and serves on the boards of NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado and ProgressNow Colorado. She is a former statewide political director for NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado.

"I'm excited to have an opportunity to help build a better Colorado. I've learned that you can't just sit at home and hope it happens – you have to work hard to make it happen. That's what my career has been about," said Danielson. "I want to make sure that District 24 has a strong voice at the Capitol. I will be a strong advocate for our small businesses, local job growth, great schools, and economic security for every working family."

Danielson holds a BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder and studied abroad at the Universidad de Sevilla. Danielson's website is www.jessiedanielson.com.