DENVER—A Republican state lawmaker serving with the Marines in Iraq says he will run for the congressional seat being given up by GOP presidential candidate Tom Tancredo.
Sen. Steve Ward of Littleton, a colonel in the Marine Reserves, said his 20 years of military experience will be an asset in the heavily Republican 6th Congressional District just south of Denver.
“That’s one of the things I would bring to the table were I to be elected to Congress, and a major differentiating factor between me and anyone else who’s running,” he told the Rocky Mountain News in Saturday’s editions. He spoke by telephone from Fallujah.
Republican Secretary of State Mike Coffman, who filed campaign paperwork for the seat on Tuesday, also served with the Marines in Iraq and is touting his military experience.
GOP state Sen. Ted Harvey of Highlands Ranch has also announced he is seeking the seat.
Tancredo said last month he would not seek a sixth term but is continuing his long-shot presidential campaign.
No Democrats have announced for the seat.
Coffman called Ward “a dear friend” and said he appreciated his service.
“I like the idea of another Iraq vet running because we desperately need one in Congress,” said Coffman, who has also served in the Army.
Coffman’s decision to run for Congress dismayed other Republicans, who do not want him to give up the secretary of state’s office. If Coffman is elected to Congress, Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter would be able to appoint a fellow Democrat to Coffman’s old job.
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Information from: Rocky Mountain News,
