Former U.S. Rep. John Salazar to be state agriculture commissioner

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Salazar will serve in Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's cabinet as commissioner of agriculture.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported today that Salazar, a Western Slope rancher and farmer who was defeated in a bid for a fourth term in Congress last November, has accepted the job and likely won't seek a re-match with congressman Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, in 2012.

Salazar, 57, served a term in the state house of representatives before going to Washington. Before that he was a member of the governor's Economic Development Advisory Board, the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, and the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Forum. Salazar also served as a member of the Colorado Agricultural Commission between 1999-2002.

The current agriculture commissioner, John Stulp, has taken a new job as special advisor to Hickenlooper.

Image courtesy Wikimedia.

Sen. White's wife will replace him

The new senator for district 8, which covers much of northwestern Colorado, will not have to look too far for advice on how to do the job.

Jean White, 60, was chosen by a Republican vacancy committee yesterday to replace her husband, Al White, in the state Senate.

Al White resigned recently after agreeing to lead the state Department of Tourism for Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper. He was in his first term in the Senate after serving eight years in the House of Representatives.