Dems Increase State Senate Majority

Democrats grew their majority in the state senate Tuesday as they picked up one seat and held off several strong challenges to seats they held in the 66th General Assembly.

Businesswoman Linda Newell of Littleton held off former GOP Rep. Lauri Clapp for the District 26 seat being vacated by Sen. Steve Ward, R-Littleton. At the time of this writing Newell was leading by less than 100 votes out of more than 53,000 cast in the district.

Meanwhile, state school board member Evie Hudak held off Republican Libby Szabo for the Jefferson County seat now held by Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, and Rep. Morgan Carroll of Aurora defeated Suzanne Andrews. That District 29 seat is now held by Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora.

In addition, Rep. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, beat the GOP's Robert Hadfield in District 29 and Democrat Joyce Foster outran Republican Robert Lane in District 35.

Republicans didn't pick up any seats in the senate but several new GOP members will arrive in January. They include Mark Scheffel of Parker in District 4,
Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, in District 8, and former Rep. and house majority leader Keith King of Colorado Springs in District 12.

The GOP's Shawn Mitchell held off a spirited challenge from Democrat Joe Whitcomb to hold on to his Broomfield-area seat.