Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, was chosen Tuesday as state House speaker pro tem in a move that the largely Denver-area-based Democratic leadership team hopes will appeal to rural voters.
Curry, who last week ran for speaker, is one of two Democrats re-elected to Western Slope districts in the 2008 cycle, which saw Grand Junction Democrat Rep. Bernie Buescher lose his seat.
“Our record wasn’t all that great in rural Colorado this past election cycle,” Curry said. “It will be helpful to have someone there who can put our issues on the radar screen.”
Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillon, also won re-election. Democrats failed to pick up the Steamboat Springs-area district formerly held by moderate Republican Sen. Al White.
Part of Curry’s job as speaker pro tem will be to shore up the majority in the 2010 election. Democrats clocked a net loss of two seats this cycle.
Curry, whose background is in water management, operates a ranch with her husband and is considered a moderate Democrat.
And though there are four more years before she is term-limited, she did not say Tuesday whether she anticipates a speakership down the road. Jessica Fender, The Denver Post
