Philanthropist and businessman Jared Polis today announced his intention to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Mark Udall, covering Boulder and portions of Jefferson and Summit counties.
Polis, a Democrat whose family made a fortune in greeting cards and who launched a company for ordering flowers over the Internet, is a former chairman of the state board of education.
In a prepared statement, Polis said today that he will focus on education, affordable health care, caring for the environment and eliminating the cycle of poverty.
“Here in Colorado, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a strong community that values diversity and respects our differences, but our health care and educational systems rarely match our American promise; I will provide leadership to change that,” he said.
“We must end the war in Iraq so we can focus on combating poverty and discrimination and growing a more inclusive and sustainable economy here at home.”
Also planning to run for the seat are state Senate president Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, and Will Shafroth, a Democrat who heads the Colorado Conservation Trust.
Udall has said he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Wayne Allard, a Republican.
