Summit County Citizens Voice

State Rep. Millie Hamner.

New House District looks very competitive

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Along with an intense race for the White House, there will be a fierce battle for control of the Colorado Legislature in November, and the newly formed House District 61, including Summit County, could be a key race.

Unaffiliated voters make up a significant plurality both in Summit County and the rest of the district, with Democrats holding a slight edge over Republicans in the West Slope district, which now puts Summit County together with Lake, Pitkin and parts of Delta and Gunnison counties.

State Rep. Millie Hamner is the incumbent but will have to contest the seat in a big new geographical area, where her focus on education should resonate with voters. Hamner is kicking off her campaign today (June 19) with a fundraising event at Pug Ryan’s in Dillon, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hamner will face either Summit County’s Debra Irvine or David Justice, who are currently contesting a Republican primary, and she may have an additional challenge from veteran lawmaker Kathleen Curry, who is currently petitioning to get a ballot spot as an independent candidate.

Hamner, the former superintendent of the Summit School District, was appointed to the House in 2010, shortly after the election, so this will be the first time she’ll fight for the seat in an election.

Hamner sponsored successful bills to streamline the license renewal process for teachers and to speed up the Department of Transportation’s timeline for recommending improvements on the I-70 corridor. She also focused on forest health issues. Her public bio is online here.

Filed under: Colorado, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news Tagged: | Colorado House District 61, colorado Legislature, Millie Hamner