Kagan Replaces McGihon

Denver lawyer Daniel Kagan, who had already indicated his interest in running for the HD-3 seat in 2010, will replace Rep. Anne McGihon as the state representative for that district.

A Democratic party vacancy committee chose Kagan to fill the remainder of McGihon's term Thursday night.

Kagan, 56, emigrated to the United States from England when he was 22. He became an American citizen in 1984.

He holds an undergraduate degree in public affairs from George Washington University and a law degree from Yale University. He has practiced law at a large Washington, D.C. firm and in a partnership with his wife. Kagan was a member of the Teamsters Union in the 1970s.

Kagan, who was a delegate for then-U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2008, is the father of three children.

McGihon Replacement to be Named Tonight

A Democratic party vacancy committee is to name a replacement for Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, tonight.

The vacancy committee, which has 100 members, will consider ten announced candidates for the appointment.

At least half of the members must be present for the vacancy committee to do business, and in the event of a weather-related cancellation of the meeting the committee would have to provide at least 10 days notice before holding the rescheduled gathering.

The ten announced candidates are:

1. George Brown, who works as curriculum director for a high school leadership development program called Leaders Challenge;

2. Former Lt. Gov. and state Sen. Sam Cassidy, an attorney and faculty member at the University of Denver and Jones International University;

3. Douglas Farquhar, an attorney and program director with the National Council of State Legislatures environmental health program. Farquhar is a member of the University of Denver faculty and teaches environmental policy and management;

4. Judith Judd, an attorney and a member of the board of AAA of Colorado and NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Foundation;

5. Daniel Kagan, an attorney;

6. Colleen O’Brien, a social studies teacher at Overland High School;

7. Retired Washington Post reporter T.R. Reid, who is also an author, television documentary producer, and former naval officer;

8. Aaron Silverstein, a legislative aide, community organizer and political blogger;

9. Shelley Watters, a former aide to two members of the Denver City Council and a former candidate for a seat on that body; and

10. Stephen White, a clinical social worker employed by Cherry Creek Public School District.

Whoever is appointed will have to stand for election in 2010 if he or she desires to continue as a state representative.

McGihon's resignation from the House of Representatives is effective Friday.

Rep. Anne McGihon to Leave Legislature Later This Month

Veteran Denver Democrat Anne McGihon has resigned from the House of Representatives.

McGihon, who is in her fourth and last term as a state representative, announced today that the demands of a new position with a national law firm require her to leave public service.

Her resignation will be effective March 27.

McGihon is the chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. She has been a leading voice in efforts to reform health care in Colorado and, this session, has helped drive House approval of a package of state agency regulations including controversial new rules affecting oil and gas drillers on the Western Slope.

In addition to her law degree, McGihon holds a masters degree in social work. She will join Ackerman Senterfitt, a law firm based in Washington, D.C. and Denver, to engage in a law and legislative advocacy practice focused on health care matters.

A District 3 Democratic vacancy committee will appoint a replacement to serve until January 2011.

McGihon herself was first appointed to the House by a vacancy committee in 2003.