DENVER – State Sen. Angela Williams will not seek re-election in 2020, the Denver Democrat announced Monday just more than a month after she dropped her bid for Colorado’s Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate race.
“After soul searching, reflection and counseling from my family, I have decided not to seek re-election to the Colorado State Senate,” Williams said in a statement. “This has been one of the two hardest decisions I have ever have [sic] to make, especially with the immense outpouring of support since deciding to suspend my U.S. Senate Campaign.”
Williams, 55, has served as the senator for Senate District 33 in Denver since her election in 2016 and previously served as the House District 7 representative. She was elected to that seat in 2010.
She was set to face at least Rep. James Coleman in the SD33 Democratic primary this year. Coleman entered the race while Williams was still in the U.S. Senate race. Still, when she dropped her U.S. Senate bid in late November, she said she was looking forward to “a spirited campaign” in SD33.
“I will match my record, with nearly a decade of service fighting for my community, workers, women, the environment and small businesses against anyone,” she said at the time.
Williams said Monday she would serve through the upcoming legislative session and prioritize passing a family medical leave measure and trying to repeal the state’s death penalty.
She said she would not be endorsing a candidate for the SD33 seat "at this time" but that she hoped “to see a vigorous election focused on ideas and debate.”
“We must have a leader that will focus on the critical issues across Senate District 33 and our great state,” Williams said in the release. “I would encourage all women who have a passion for service to consider running for elected office. It is crucial for women’s voices to be represented at the Colorado State House.”
