Denver Democratic Party

Colorado capitol dome.

The race is on.

Colorado capitol dome.

Denver native Mark Mehringer told The Colorado Independent today that he will be officially throwing his hat in the ring next month to succeed longtime, but term-limited, state Rep. Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) in House District 7.

Mehringer, 33, hopes to capitalize on his deep community roots and political experience with the Denver Democratic Party to promote a campaign focused on capitalizing on the green jobs vogue.

“The area should be well positioned for those kinds of jobs,” said Mehringer. “I don’t think any area is better suited in terms of transportation than northeast Denver because it includes the airport and I-70 and I-270 are right there for truck traffic.

Cindy Lowery

With Denver Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Coken stepping down next February to focus on a state legislative campaign, former State House District 8 candidate Cindy Lowery is the frontrunner to succeed her.

Coken said she won't seek a second two-year term as chair because she's planning to run for state House District 4 in 2010, when incumbent state Rep. Jerry Frangas (D-Denver) must step down because of term limits.

Lowery, a Denver attorney and the former president of the Denver Young Democrats, said she's "pretty sure" she has the chairmanship wrapped up, as she's been gathering support for her candidacy since shortly after her August primary loss to state Rep.-elect Beth McCann (D-Denver).