State Sen. Angela Williams is leaving one political race and jumping straight into another.
Williams said in an email Wednesday she has suspended her campaign for U.S Senate and will seek reelection for her current seat in the statehouse representing northeast and central Denver in Senate District 33.
That race already has one challenger in state Rep. James Coleman, who announced earlier this month he would seek William's current seat. Both are Democrats seeking the party's nomination.
Williams entered the Senate race relatively late when she joined in July and became the 12th Democrat to declare. She's now the latest person to exit after former-governor-turned-presidential hopeful John Hickenlooper decided he wanted to run for the federal office in August. She said in her email that after traveling the state, it's clear people are "ready to replace" incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner.
"As you know, Colorado has never sent a woman or a person of color to the U.S. Senate," Williams said in her email. "I remain firm in my belief that that needs to change. Regardless of who wins the nomination, we must have someone who will fight and be a progressive voice for women, people of color, and the underserved."
Coleman is scheduled to have a campaign kick-off Dec. 4. Williams said she will be filing paperwork to run for reelection in the next several days. Coincidentally, community activist and small business owner Bernard Douthit announced this week he will run for Coleman's current seat.
