DENVER, CO (KDVR) — According to the Associated Press, state Sen. Brittany Pettersen is on her way to Washington after being elected to Colorado’s 7th Congressional District.
Pettersen’s victory keeps a long-held Democratic stronghold blue, even as it moves into new territory.
The new representative is the district’s first change in leadership in years. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat, has held the seat since 2007 but did not run for re-election.
There is no low that's too low for my opponent, but my record is clear. I've led the fight to address the opioid epidemic in Colorado because I've seen the devastation first hand. Watch what my mom has to say about his desperate attacks and help us fight back: #copolitics #CO07 pic.twitter.com/1622z0bz21
— Brittany Pettersen (@pettersen4co) October 20, 2022
This time marks the first time a newly redrawn district has had a leader.
Last year’s redistricting resulted in significant changes to the boundaries of the 7th Congressional District. It used to include the northern and western suburbs of Denver, the northern half of Jefferson County, and the western half of Adams County. The district now extends further west, encompassing Jefferson, Broomfield, Park, Lake, Teller, Chaffee, Fremont, and Custer counties.
It was so nice to have one final Honk and Wave with @RepPerlmutter! Thanks so much to everyone for showing up – let’s bring this thing home!
Be sure it return your ballot at a drop or vote in person by 7 pm tonight – find your place at https://t.co/HXDL7uQUKy! #copolitics #CO07 pic.twitter.com/u9yBKnXYPd
— Brittany Pettersen (@pettersen4co) November 8, 2022
Pettersen currently represents state Senate District 22 as a Democrat. She previously represented state House District 28 from 2013 to 2019.
Pettersen defeated Erik Aadland, a Republican, political newcomer, combat veteran, and energy industry worker. Aadland faced backlash after a video of him questioning the outcome of the 2020 presidential election surfaced.
If you’ve already voted, but want to know how else you can help us win this race, you can join us from the comfort of your own home to remind other Democrats to vote here: https://t.co/qDgY7sLzAb pic.twitter.com/t2xJyI8yDR
— Brittany Pettersen (@pettersen4co) November 8, 2022
Libertarian Ross Klopf, Unity candidate Critter Milton, and write-in candidate JP Lujan were among the third-party candidates.