Dr. Irene Aguilar wins Dramatic Victory Senate District 32 Vacancy Committee Election to Replace Sen. Chris Romer

Denver Democrat Irene Aguilar won the race to fill a vacancy in the State Senate seat from Senate District 32 Monday night, rising from a field of six candidates and ultimately claiming victory by a 2-1 margin over her closest rival.

A passionate fighter for universal health care in her capacity as both the president of Health Care for All Colorado and as a physician at Denver Health, Aguilar united one of Colorado's most diverse senate districts, covering parts of both Denver and Jefferson Counties and spanning parts of six different State House districts. It was a victory for grassroots activism, as Aguilar rose from the initial perception that she was an underdog candidate by connecting with the neighborhood representatives making up the voting body and bringing strong community support to propel her to victory.

"I think the best way I can help my patients is to be involved in public policy," Aguilar told the 124 members of the Vacancy Committee in attendance at South High Monday night. "I'd like to engage all of you in Senate District 32 and your friends in all the other districts to help me win this fight, because I don't like to be told 'no.' All of the values in the Democratic Party Platform are politically viable, and with your help, I will make them so."

Aguilar replaces Chris Romer, who was elected to his second term as State Senator in November and announced his pending resignation on November 30th after deciding to join the Denver mayoral race. Romer's decision came after Mayor John Hickenlooper won the governor's race on November 2nd, and the senator's resignation is effective December 31st.

"We're proud to have someone of Irene Aguilar's character and commitment representing the people of Senate District 32," said Democratic Party of Denver Secretary Owen Perkins, also a candidate. "From the moment she entered the race, I knew she'd be a formidable candidate and an excellent senator. The values that have driven her through her career in medicine, through her advocacy for health care reform, and through her activism in the Democratic Party will serve her well in the State Senate, and she will represent her constituents with honor, intelligence, and compassion."

Aguilar, 50, beat five other candidates to become Colorado's newest State Senator. Her closest competition came from State Representative Beth McCann, who forced a third and final round of voting.

"We're all behind her and supporting her, and I know she'll be a great success," McCann said after the final round of voting.

The rest of the field included retired Environmental Protection Agency employee Jeff Hart, Perkins, environmentalist Matt Royster, and Denver native Arthur Lewis.

Colorado statute provided for Senator Romer's seat to be filled by a special election of the Senate District 32 Vacancy Committee, a body of 149 members representing Denver County and Jefferson County. Turnout was strong, with 86% of the eligible voters attending the meeting. The vast majority of the members are Precinct Committee Persons from the district who were elected to represent their neighborhoods for two-year terms by Democratic voters in the precinct at the February, 2010 caucuses. The remaining members of the Vacancy Committee, all residents of Senate District 32, were Party officials from Senate District 32, Denver County, and the state of Colorado, and Democrats holding elected office who live in the district. Four of the six candidates served on the Vacancy Committee, with Aguilar and Lewis the only two not on the committee.

It took three rounds of voting for Aguilar to win a majority of the 124 members of the Vacancy Committee present. Aguilar led in every round, winning 44 of 122 votes in the first round, 60 of 121 votes in the second round, and 80 of 119 votes in the final round. The fluctuation in voting members from round to round reflects the fact that some members had to arrive late and others had to leave early.

"I look forward to working with each and every one of you," Aguilar said in her acceptance speech. "I am honored and humbled. And I am off to the races, starting right now."

Aguilar is expected to be sworn in January 3rd to complete the final week of Romer's first term. She will be sworn in for the new term when the legislature convenes the following week.

Click here to read the Colorado Statesman's story about the Vacancy Committee appointment.

Click here for Senator-Elect Aguilar's Candidate Page.

Click here for the Denver Post's story about the appointment.