Sen. Jack Tate,
R-Centennial
When the legislative session begins next month, freshman state Rep. Jack Tate will be Sen. Jack Tate, after a Republican vacancy committee promoted the Centennial lawmaker to fill the Senate District 27 seat over the weekend.
Tate , who resigned to care for a sick family member and to become political director of state campaigns for the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
“Experience in the House and an extensive background in business and engineering, along with the high marks he receives from Republican colleagues, means that Senator-elect Tate can be an impact player for us right away,” Senate President Bill Cadman said in a statement Monday. “We expect him to step right in and play a key role in moving our agenda forward in the 2016 session.”
Tate was the lone candidate when the Senate district’s Republican leaders took nominations and voted Saturday. Strong support for Tate’s candidacy was well-known as soon as Balmer announced plans to step down in October.
Balmer’s resignation takes effect on Dec. 31, after which Tate will officially be relieved of his House seat. GOP leaders in House District 37 will hold a nomination-and-election meeting before the session begins on Jan. 13 to fill the position.
“Jack Tate has been a very good representative for his district and he’ll do a great job as a senator,” said Ryan Lynch, executive director of the state Republican Party. “He has the full support of the state GOP amd I hope he’s ready to defense the Senate seat next fall.”
Balmer was chairman of the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee and vice chairman of the Local Government Committee. Tate has not yet received his Senate committee assignments. In the House Tate served on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee and the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
Tate was to replaced a term-limited Rep. Spencer Swaim.
