Citing a desire to effect change at the local level, Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, announced Monday that he’s making a 2010 bid for the Summit County commission instead of running for re-election to the upper chamber.
Gibbs — a champion of forest-health issues and the car registration fee hike dubbed FASTER — said he will serve the rest of his Senate District 16 term, which ends in 2010.
“My heart is in the mountains where I live, in Summit County,” said Gibbs, 33. “If I can work to solve problems for my neighbors, that’s what I want to do.”
He said he announced his departure early so potential candidates could plan their campaigns for the open seat.
Gibbs won election to the House in 2006 and was appointed to the Senate shortly after former president of the Senate Joan Fitz-Gerald left Senate District 16 in 2008.
The six-county district is evenly split among parties, with unaffiliated voters leading Democrats and Republicans.
In a statement Monday, Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter praised Gibbs for his service: “As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Gibbs has been a key ally in my administration’s efforts to repair and keep Colorado’s roads and bridges safe.”
Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry said his party would pursue the seat “aggressively.”
Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillon, who’s made a mark on education issues in her short time in office, said she’s considering a run for the seat.
Scanlan was appointed to Gibbs’ empty House seat in 2007.
