June 02, 2007 06:59 PM UTC

Betsy Markey Official in CD-4

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• by: Colorado Pols

As the Fort Collins Coloradoan reports:

Markey, who served as a regional director for Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo.,as Larimer County Democratic chairwoman and invarious political positions in Washington, told friends and family she is ready for her first run for elected office…

Markey is entering a crowded Democratic field, fighting for a chance in 2008to unseat Fort Morgan Republican and three-term incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave.

Fort Collins resident and former state House Rep. Angie Paccione and state Sen. Brandon Shaffer already have announced their campaigns, and Reform party candidate Eric Eidsness, who received 11 percent of the vote in 2006, has indicated he will enter the race as a Democrat by the end of the summer…

“I am ready for a primary,” Markey said after her announcement. “There hasn’t been a Democratic primary in the 4th since I can remember, but it will be expensive; that is always the concern of a primary.”

Markey already has gained endorsements from many powerful state Democrats, including Sen. Bob Bacon, Rep. John Kefalas, and former Sens. Peggy Reeves and Stan Matsunaka.

“(Markey is) a terrific candidate and she understands the interests of the (4th) District, and that’s why I have jumped on her campaign,” Matsunaka said…