Senator Evie Hudak (D-Arvada) stepped down Wednesday to avoid a potential recall that could have turned control of the state senate back over to the Republicans.
Hudak was targeted for recall over her support of tougher gun legislation that was passed by Democrats and signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper.
Recall supporters unsuccessfully tried to recall Hudak earlier in 2013 but failed to gather enough signatures to get a vote to the people of her district. Two other senators were ousted in that effort, John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) and Angela Giron (D-Pueblo).
Tuesday was the deadline for the latest signature gathering campaign.
“She has fought hard on behalf of the people of Arvada and Westminster and because of her tenacity, all of Colorado has benefited," Democratic state party chairman Rick Palacio said in a written statement. Senator Hudak did not appear at a press conference announcing her resignation Wednesday morning.
In his written statement, Republican Party chairman Ryan Call says the lesson of Evie Hudak and the Democrats is that all lawmakers need to pay attention to their constituents.
“Unfortunately, despite having two members recalled, Colorado Democrats haven’t learned this lesson,” Call’s statement says. “By side-stepping the recall process and not allowing the voters to choose a senator who will represent them, Evie Hudak’s resignation shows that Democrats are much more concerned about holding onto political power than in being held accountable.”
Colorado Statesman publisher Jody Hope Strogoff says there were rumors that Hudak might step down and avoid what could have been a tough recall election.
“There has been some speculation; none of it was confirmed by Hudak until, officially, [Wednesday] morning when she sent a letter to the Secretary of the Senate offering her resignation effective immediately. That turns it into a vacancy committee election controlled by Democrats.”
That means a Democrat will replace Hudak, ensuring that Democrats hold on to their current 18 to 17 majority in the Colorado Senate.
