Two Vie For Assistant House Majority Leader; Winner May Be Next Majority Leader

State Reps. Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) and Paul Weissman (D-Louisville) are the two leading candidates to replace ex-state Rep. Michael Garcia as assistant House majority leader, said House Majority Leader Alice Madden (D-Boulder) Monday morning.

 But when House Democrats caucus tomorrow at noon Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 1373 Grant St. in Denver, to vote on the position, they'll be choosing more than just a replacement for Garcia, Weissmann said.

"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)." 

Madden will leave the House after this year because of term limits.

State Rep. Jeanne Labuda (D-Denver) was also running for the position, Madden said, but Carroll said Monday afternoon that she had dropped out and endorsed him.

Labuda did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.  

The assistant majority leader position was vacated last Friday when Garcia resigned from the House after allegations that he exposed himself to a female lobbyist.

Both Weissmann and Carroll said they expected a very close vote in Tuesday's caucus.

"I suspect it’ll be close, and I certainly hope and anticipate that it’ll be close in my favor," Carroll said. "I’m feeling fairly optimistic, but it’s not over until all the votes are counted."

Weissmann said while he has a leg up on House procedure and rules, Carroll "knows the out-of-building stuff," such as fundraising.

"We're both talking to members, telling themmore about our strengths," Weissmann said.

"It's like running for Prom King," he said.