Former Colorado tourism director Al White plans to run as an independent for state Senate this year. (Kathryn Scott Osler, Denver Post file)
Former state tourism director Al White plans to take on Sen. Randy Baumgardner for the state Senate District 8 seat this year.
White plans to run as an independent against the incumbent Republican senator from Hot Sulphur Springs and Democratic challenger . Tracy lost to Baumgardner in 2012 in the northwest Colorado district.
White, who lives in Hayden, represented the Senate district as a Republican from 2009 to 2011, before he became director of the Colorado Tourism Office . White served in the state House for eight years, as well.
His campaign said he would file paperwork to enter the race Thursday.
There are no unaffiliated legislators currently serving in the General Assembly.
It is time we all look past party labels and ideologies,” White said in the announcement made available Wednesday night. “Instead of being forced by partisan leadership to vote in lock step with a specific party, our district deserves a Senator that will vote on each bill based solely on its merit. I know that without establishment support from the two major parties, a win will be unprecedented. That said, Senate District 8 is too important for me to not put up a fight. I can no longer let my family and the good people of my home district be poorly represented in the Senate. This is why I intend to bring a truly independent voice to our state Capitol.
to work briefly as a senior adviser and lobbyist within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
He is to be inducted in the state Tourism Hall of Fame in March for his work as state tourism director. A former Winter Park ski shop owner, White was an advocate for tourism during his stint in the General Assembly.
