August 04, 2023 11:04 AM UTC

Mayor Johnston Poaches Senate Majority Leader Moreno

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: The Aurora Sentinel:

“I want to continue my work in the Legislature to make sure that Colorado’s kids are protected, make sure that our communities of color receive the equitable investments that they have historically been denied, and to make sure Colorado continues to expand our renewable energy infrastructure to help fight climate change,” [Rep. Dafna] Michaelson Jenet said in a statement…

Michaelson Jenet has been endorsed for the seat by Moreno, Attorney General Phil Weiser, congressional representatives Brittany Pettersen and Jason Crow, state Rep. David Ortiz and “many additional legislators and community members.”

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As the Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul reports:

Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, the No. 2 Democrat in the Colorado Senate, is stepping down from his position to take a job in the new Denver mayor’s administration.

Moreno’s departure represents a major shakeup of Capitol leadership and he may not be the last senator or representative to depart the legislature to take a top job in the Mile High City…

A Democratic vacancy committee will select Moreno’s replacement for the final year of his term. Moreno was term-limited and couldn’t run for reelection in 2024.

Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, who has already announced her campaign for Sen. Moreno’s term-limited seat, should have the edge in the SD-21 vacancy committee appointment. That in turn opens up a vacancy for Rep. Jenet’s House seat, but perhaps the more important and less settled question is who will succeed Moreno as the next Senate Majority Leader. Sens. Janet Buckner and Julie Gonzales are two regularly-mentioned candidates, while Sens. Faith Winter and Chris Hansen are also rumored to be interested in the position.

Next up? Whoever else Mayor Mike Johnston decides he needs, likely including campaign-trail ally Rep. Leslie Herod. Our grossly underpaid state lawmakers can hardly afford to turn down the opportunity, so the state’s loss becomes the city’s gain.