February 02, 2013 09:06 AM UTC

It's Official: Romanoff Files in CD-6

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: here come the embargoed stories, FOX 31's Eli Stokols:

Romanoff, who famously waited several months to announce a primary challenge to Sen. Michael Bennet that was ultimately successful, became the first official challenger to Coffman, who is ranked as one of the top 10 most vulnerable members of Congress.

Former state Rep. Karen Middleton, D-Aurora, is also considering a challenge to Coffman and Romanoff’s early announcement may lead her to make a decision about the race sooner than anticipated.

Newly-minted (The Denver Post's Kurtis Lee was first to post moments ago) CD-6 candidate and former Speaker of the Colorado House Andrew Romanoff's welcome message:

I’m running to represent the 6th District for the same reason I first ran for the Statehouse. I want to make it possible for every child to enjoy the same kind of basic opportunities my mom and dad gave me: A solid education, a steady source of health care, and a safe place to live.

To create those opportunities, we need a strong economy, a public sector that understands and supports local businesses, and a 21st-century infrastructure.

Someone once said there are two kinds of politicians in the world: Those who want to be somebody and those who want to do something. So let me be clear: I’m running for the House of Representatives to get things done.

We'll update through the day with coverage. No dallying this time, filing as a candidate on February 1 after the election–significant given how many times the brass ring has whizzed by one of Colorado's better-known legislative Democrats. And that makes sense, given the likelihood that he will have plenty of competition for the Democratic nod in this expected marquee 2014 congressional battleground. Is it finally Romanoff's moment? 

Romanoff Launches Congressional Bid
Former Speaker of the Colorado House submits candidacy for the 6th District

Brighton, Colo. — Andrew Romanoff has submitted to the Federal Election Commission his statement of candidacy for Colorado’s 6th Congressional District.
 
The former Colorado House Speaker is stopping in at Adams County and Douglas County Democratic Party meetings today, as well as in Aurora, to tell friends and supporters that he is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.
 
Romanoff said increased partisanship in Washington D.C. has left Coloradans eager for a representative with a track record of common-sense solutions and a bipartisan approach to public service. 
 
"Our state has no patience for ideological extremism or intransigence," he said.
 
"What we need, now more than ever, are men and women committed to solving problems, not just pointing fingers or picking fights. We need new leadership in the House of Representatives. And we need new leadership in Congressional District 6."
 
Supporters can learn more about the campaign at www.andrewromanoff.com.
 
"Andrew Romanoff has shown a resolve to work on behalf of all Coloradans in a way that very few other people have," said state Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. "He is exactly the leader we need to represent us in Congress."
 
About Andrew Romanoff:  

Andrew Romanoff won election to four terms in the Colorado House of Representatives, including two terms as Speaker of the House. He earned national acclaim as one of the most effective legislative leaders in America.
 
Andrew led the fight to pass an Economic Recovery Plan and steer Colorado out of a deep recession. He brought Democrats and Republicans together to repair our state's crumbling schools. He authored laws to protect the victims of domestic violence, provide treatment for mental illness, expand the supply of affordable housing, and shield children and seniors from neglect and abuse.
 
Andrew has devoted much of his career to teaching – from rural high schools in Central America to the Community College of Aurora. One of his first jobs, at the Southern Poverty Law Center, fueled a lifelong commitment to civil rights. He also served on the board of the Center for Women's Employment and Education, a job-training agency for low-income women.
 
Andrew now works for IDE, a Colorado-based organization that produces agricultural technology and training for small-scale farmers and businesses. Over the last 30 years, IDE has equipped more than three million families with the tools they need to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.
 
More than 50 state and national organizations have recognized Andrew's leadership. The Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation present the William Bulger Award to the "legislative leader who has worked to preserve and build public trust in the institution of the state legislature and whose career embodies the highest principles of leadership — integrity, compassion, vision and courage." In 2006, Andrew became the award’s youngest recipient. Two years later, Governing Magazine named him as a "Public Official of the Year."

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