DENVER -- Republican Ryan Frazier says he will drop his U.S. Senate bid and instead run for the 7th Congressional District seat held by Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

The Aurora City Council member made the announcement at a news conference Thursday in Adams County.

"I stepped forward in this election because I feel so strongly about the opportunity we have as a country to be better, safer, and economically stronger. We owe our children that much. The dangerous course that the Democrat-controlled Congress has forced us to tread, greatly concerns me. There is too much at stake: people's livelihoods and our children's future. It’s time to re-energize the people's House with new leadership and better solutions. The 7th Congressional District represents the right path, right now to do my part in helping make America better. The people here deserve a better choice,” Frazier stated.

Frazier was one of at least six Republicans looking to challenge Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet next year but he trailed in fundraising.

Perlmutter is serving his second term after being elected in 2006 to represent the 7th District in Denver's western suburbs.

"His prospects in the Senate race dim, job-shopper Ryan Frazier pulled a move that smacks of political opportunism: abandoning the race for one office to instead run for another," said Pat Waak, Colorado Democratic Party Chair. "Coloradans are sick and tired of that brand of politics and they deserve better."