Victor Mitchell

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.

Several Republicans from the 6th Congressional District announced their support for Wil Armstrong today, according to a press release from the Armstrong campaign.

Armstrong is one of four Republicans running to fill the seat U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton) is vacating.

In the last 18 months, this self-described American “hero” has gone from state representative to state senator to congressional candidate. As the Sanjaya of the GOP lineup, however, his theatrics (or his hair) won’t be able to carry him where substance is required.

Former Douglas County clerk and recorder Carole Murray says she entered the GOP race for the newly opened 45th District state House seat because it "just seemed like a logical thing to do.

"I've lived in Douglas County for 20 years, I've always been interested in politics, and I have a lot of experience dealing with legislators," Murray said in a Friday evening phone interview.

Murray said she decided to enter the race only after State Rep. Victor Mitchell (R-Castle Rock) announced this week he wouldn't seek re-election for the seat. 

With state Rep. Victor Mitchell (R-Castle Rock) announcing Tuesday that he won't run for re-election this fall, several Republicans have indicated interest in the 45th District seat.

Former Douglas County clerk and recorder Carole Murray and Univ. of Colorado IT employee John Peterson have both said they'll enter the GOP race in the heavily Republican district, Republican sources said.

Castle Rock Mayor Randy Reed has also indictated interest in the seat and will meet with Republican legislators at the State Capitol on Thursday, said state Sen. Tom Wiens (R-Castle Rock).

First-term state Rep. Victor Mitchell (R-Castle Rock) announced Tuesday morning that he won’t run for re-election, saying he’d rather concentrate on his business and recruiting other businesspeople to become Republican candidates.

Mitchell said in an interview that after his term is up in 2009, he'll work with Republican Party county chairmen to find successful business figures to run for office on the GOP ticket.

Mitchell said he believed this was a better way for him to get things done than remain a Republican member of the state House, where the Democrats enjoy a 40-25 majority.

"It's a challenge to be in such a small minority where it's hard to get anything done," Mitchell said. "I'm the type of individual where I want to get things done."