Carroll says Dems will pick up four or more state House seats

Assistant state House Majority Leader Terrance Carroll predicted Tuesday that Democrats would pick up at least four seats in the Colorado House of Representatives this November.

Speaking at the Democratic National Convention Colorado delegation breakfast at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, Carroll said Democrats would take over Republican seats in House Districts 25, 37, 39 and 45.

District 37 is held by state Rep. Spencer Swalm; Assistant House Minority Leader David Balmer (R-Centennial) is seeking re-election in House District 39. Districts 25 and 45 are open seats being vacated by Republicans Rob Witwer and Victor Mitchell, respectively.

Stella Garza-Hicks’ seat in state House District 17 is also vulnerable, Carroll said.

“They’re highly competitive seats we can be successful at,” Carroll said. "Clearly, the independents and moderate Republicans have a greater affinity for our message than they do for the Colorado Republicans' message."

Asked if Democrats would hold onto state Rep. Debbie Stafford’s seat in House District 40, Carroll smiled.

“We’ll fight for it,” he said.

Democrats currently hold a 40-25 majority in the state House and a 20-15 majority in the state Senate.

Colorado Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams disagreed with Carroll’s prediction, saying the GOP would hold on to those seats and take Democratic seats this November.

“It’s almost comical to watch how cocky and arrogant Democrats have gotten in Colorado,” Wadhams said.“ (Democrats) are just going to decide we don’t even need to have the election -- it’s over.”

Wadhams said while Democrats would keep their majorities in both legislative houses this fall, he said the GOP would win back both houses in 2010.