Curry named House speaker pro tem

State Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) was named House speaker pro tem by presumptive Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) on Tuesday.

The move was widely expected, especially given concerns by rural Democrats that until Curry's appointment, all House Democratic leaders named for next year were from the Denver area.

As pro tem, Curry will fill in for Carroll in his absence and help re-election efforts for House Democrats. She succeeds outgoing state Rep. Cheri Jahn (D-Wheat Ridge), who is term limited.

Curry and Carroll also said she will act as "point person" on oil and gas, agricultural, and water issues in the state.

Curry will remain chair of the state House Agricultural Committee, Carroll said.

In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, Carroll said Curry "has a deep understanding of agriculture, the environment, ranching, oil and gas, open space -- all those issues that are important to the vast majority of Coloradoans."

Carroll said Curry is, "Absolutely the best choice for this position for where the caucus is right now."

Asked about her vision for helping Democrats win in 2010, Curry said, "I think that the formula that works is to focus on the issues and not on partisan politics."

"There's a lot of talk of the minority party putting a big push on in 2010, and frankly I'll believe it when I see it," Curry said. "Their fundraising capability was limited this year."

Carroll said with Curry entering only her third term as a state representative, putting her in leadership now ensures Democrats will have veterans in leadership when he and others leave in 2010.

"We need to also look at the caucus going forward in the future," Carroll said. "People like myself and (state) Rep. (Buffie) McFayden (D-Pueblo West) and a few other folks, we're all term-limited, and we really need to make sure that we have folks in leadership who are going to be around for four or six more years."

Curry, who unsuccessfully ran for House Speaker during last week's House leadership elections, was asked if she would run for Speaker in 2010.

"We'll see what the caucus wants to do at the time and how the numbers look," she said.