Former Colorado State Senator to Run for Congress as an Unaffiliated Candidate

Ron Tupa, a former Democratic Colorado lawmaker and one-time State Senate Majority Caucus Chair, has filed to run for Congress as an unaffiliated candidate, according to a recent FEC filing. Tupa has yet to announce his campaign or engage on social media formally.

If he successfully makes it on the ballot, Tupa will challenge one-time incumbent Brittany Pettersen. Pettersen initially ran for Congress in 2018 but stepped aside when Ed Perlmutter, who previously held the seat but stepped aside to run for Governor, re-entered the race. She ran and won in 2022 when Perlmutter officially retired.

No other candidate besides Tupa has filed with the Federal Election Commission to run against Pettersen. A copy of Tupa’s FEC paperwork can be accessed here.

Ron Tupa was first appointed to finish a term in the Colorado State House in 1995 before officially winning election in 1996 and serving two complete terms. After his time in the legislature, he served two additional terms in the Colorado State Senate. In 2005, Tupa was appointed as the Senate Majority Caucus Chair. Tupa remained primarily out of the political spotlight for the next fifteen years, working as a certified civics teacher and political consultant for several Colorado-based candidates.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Tupa is running as a member of the Unity Party. Mr. Tupa clarified with Independent Political Report that UAF in Colorado means “unaffiliated.” We apologize for the error. With thanks to Politics1.com for finding the initial FEC filing.