Another Democrat, Keith Pottratz, 31, of Grand Junction, has announced plans to run against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner in 2020.
A press release Sunday said he served 5½ years in the Navy and is the vice president of the Grand Junction chapter of Wings and Warriors, which trains and places service dogs with veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder.
He is one of the social media coordinators for Operation Code, a nonprofit that helps veterans find technology jobs.
His announcement invoked President Trump rather than specific complaints against Gardner.
“Over the last two years, we have seen what is happening in our country,” Pottratz said in the statement. “We need new fresh faces who are willing to work for the people.”
“Veteran suicide is an epidemic across the country,” Pottratz said. “We as Americans need to realize this and do something about it.”
He also vowed to work on science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum to better prepare students for future jobs.
The campaign also will focus on “women’s health rights and rights of the LGTBQ+ community,” according to the release.
Pottratz said he was announcing early to let voters get to know him. He is likely to be part of a crowded field. Big-name Democrats are likely to join the race if national Democrats make a hard push to unseat Gardner to take the Senate.
Pottratz joins Lorena Garcia of Denver, who is the executive director of Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition. Garcia announced Thursday that she would run in the Democratic primary.
The Federal Election Commission lists Derrick James Blanton of Denver and Dustin John Leitzel of Denver as Democrats who filed paperwork in 2017.
