Denver Health doc chosen to replace Sen. Romer

A physician will replace resigning Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver.

Dr. Irene Aguilar, a champion of a single-payer health care system who has pushed for adoption of a bill creating one in Colorado, was chosen by the Senate district 32 Democratic vacancy committee.

According to the Denver Post, Aguilar beat Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, by a wide margin among the party activists who voted.

Romer is leaving office Dec. 31 to seek election as Denver mayor.

Since he was re-elected Nov. 2 to a second four-year Senate term that begins next month, Aguilar can serve until January 2015 before facing the voters.

Romer to leave Senate to seek Denver mayor's job

Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, is leaving the legislature.

Romer, who was elected to second term in the Senate Nov. 2, announced Tuesday that he will resign his seat so that he can seek election as Denver's mayor.

He made his announcement at a meeting of business advocates, promising to balance the city's budget.

Early speculation has Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, being the most likely replacement for Romer.

A district 32 vacancy committee will have to make that decision, and McCann won't be the only option the members have.

According to a report in Wednesday's Denver Post, Denver Democratic Party secretary Owen Perkins, former federal civil servant Jeff Hart, physician Irene Aguilar, and environmentalist Matt Royster may also seek the appointment.

If McCann is appointed to fill the remainder of Romer's term, which would expire in January 2015, she would also be replaced in House district 8 by a vacancy committee.