Michael Garcia

  Jefferson County Schools teachers union president Jane Goff was appointed Saturday afternoon to fill Karen Middleton's CD-7 seat on the Colorado State Board of Education.

Goff, an Arvada resident who had been running for Middleton's seat since last fall, was picked on the second ballot over three other candidates by a vacancy committee, said committee chair Ann Knollman.

A vacancy commitee on Sunday picked State Board of Education member Karen Middleton to finish former state Rep. Michael Garcia's term in the 42nd House District, according to the Aurora Sentinel.

Whipsers from Politickers around Colorado for the week of February 8th, 2008

Two state representatives are in the hunt to replace ex-state Rep. Michael Garcia as assistant House majority leader -- a stepping-stone to becoming House majority leader next year.

State Reps. Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) and Paul Weissman (D-Louisville) are the two leading candidates for the position, said House Majority Leader Alice Madden (D-Boulder).

"This is absolutely an election for next year's majority leader," Weissmann said. "It's a way to fill the gap and learn the process (for next year)."

State Rep. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) publicly announced Monday morning that she will take over for ousted state Rep. Michael Garcia (D-Aurora) as the Democratic candidate in Senate District 29, the Rocky Mountain News reported.

There was a very short time span last week from the time when Face the State first uncovered that Rep Michael Garcia was facing ethics charges relating to sexual misconduct to the time that Garcia subsequently resigned. And lost amongst the weeds in the story was the more compelling story that GOP leaders are privately upset about Garcia’s departure.  read more »

2007 Aurora School Board candidate Carlos Estrada (D) has indicated interest in finishing ex-state. Rep. Michael Garcia's term, according to the Denver Post.

Michael Garcia, who resigned as Assistant House Majority Leader Friday morning, shot back Friday afternoon at reports that he exposed himself to a female lobbyist last month, the Denver Post is reporting.

The statement, obtained by the Post from the law firm of Reilly Pozner & Connelly, reads as follows:

"Initial press reports are highly inaccurate regarding my alleged conduct. The other party and I engaged in consensual conduct that was inappropriate given my position in the legislature and the fact that the other party is a lobbyist.

The domino effect has started for Democrats following the resignation of Assistant House Majority Leader Michael Garcia (D-Aurora) on Friday.

State Board of Education member Karen Middleton will likely be appointed Garcia's replacement for his 42nd District seat, said state Sen. Bob Hagedorn (D-Aurora). Middleton is already running to succeed the term-limited Garcia in the November elections.

Middleton confirmed she will vie for the vacancy appointment, which will be made by a vacancy committee on Feb. 10. Middleton said she had not heard of anyone else indicate interest in the vacancy appointment.

Assistant House Majority Leader Michael Garcia (D-Aurora) resigned Friday following allegations that he exposed himself and made inappropriate advances towards several female lobbyists.

An unnamed female lobbyist alleged that Garcia approached her as they were playing pool at Lancer Lounge on Jan. 7 after a Garcia fundraiser, according to FaceTheState.com, which first released the story.