February 14, 2022 11:45 AM UTC

State Senate Updates: Salazar Out, Giron In

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

Here are a couple of quick ICYMI updates on races for State Senate in Colorado…

As Alex Burness reported for The Denver Post last week, former State Rep. Joe Salazar is suspending his campaign for State Senate in SD-24 (North Denver, roughly). This likely ends a potentially-interesting Democratic Primary, since current State Rep. Kyle Mullica is also seeking the job.

Much further to the south, Marianne Goodland of the publication formerly known as the Colorado Statesman has some interesting news on another high-profile State Senate race:

Among the seven candidates so far who want to succeed outgoing Senate President Leroy Garcia is a familiar name: former state Sen. Angela Giron of Pueblo, whom voters recalled in 2013.

And next Saturday’s election is starting to shape up as a battle between endorsers: in Giron’s corner, Sen. Julie Gonzales of Denver; in Nick Hinrichsen’s, incoming Senate President Steve Fenberg of Boulder.

Garcia announced on Feb. 3 he would resign his seat on Feb. 23 to become special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of Defense at the Pentagon.

Giron apparently plans to run for SD-3 no matter what happens at Saturday’s vacancy committee. The last we saw of Giron in public office was when she was recalled in 2013 after gun rights activists got salty about legislation passed in the regular session that year. Giron had…other problems as a State Senator as well, but she seems to think enough time has passed for her to take another run in 2022.