Second gay man announces bid for Colorado General Assembly

Commerce City council member Dominick Moreno said Sept. 22 he will kick off 2012 bid for the state House of Representatives.

Moreno has already filed to run, and could be the state’s youngest sitting legislator at age 28 if sworn-in in 2013.

“I’ve decided to run for state representative of House District 32,” Moreno said in an email to supporters. “It’s been an honor serving the community I grew up in as a Commerce City councilmember. My experience on the city council and at the state level as a legislative aide means I’ll be ready on day one to fight for education, transportation and other issues important to Adams County.”

He is the second gay man to announce a 2012 bid for the Colorado General Assembly.

Paul Rosenthal, a Denver teacher, announced a bid to replace outgoing Rep. Joe Miklosi in House District 9 in southeast Denver.

The Adams County Democrat will run to replace outgoing Rep. Ed Casso, who is not running for re-election in House District 32.  Moreno previously worked as Casso’s legislative aide.

Incumbents Sens. Pat Steadman and Lucía Guzmán of Denver, along with incumbents Reps. Mark Ferrandino of Denver and Sue Schafer of Wheat Ridge are all running for re-election, make up the current LGBT members of Colorado’s legislature, all Democrats.

Moreno is likely to face Commerce City Mayor Pro Tem Tracey Snyder for the Democratic nomination in the predominantly-Democratic district. Snyder was previously the Republican nominee for the house seat in 2006, but lost to Casso that year and has spoken openly of a possible run as a Democrat.

Moreno was first elected to City Council in Commerce City in 2009.