Fitz-Gerald's Time is Now

November 20, 2007

When Colorado Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald resigned Nov. 14 to pursue a run for the Second Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, it was a step forward in a thriving political career, one that started in 1990 when she was elected Jefferson County clerk.

Though we support Fitz-Gerald's decision, it will take a toll on Jefferson County and its residents.

After all, finding someone to fill her shoes will be a difficult task at best. She made history of sorts when she became the first woman president of the senate in 2004, her first four-year term. It was a position she held until she resigned.

Fitz-Gerald's history at the state assembly can't be ignored. As president she held a position of power and influence and was a major player in the drafting of Referendum C, which asked voters for a time-out on their TABOR taxpayer refunds for five years. The move directed $3.6 billion toward education, health care, transportation and other programs. Following its passage, the funds were divided up: one-third for higher education, one-third for health care and one-third for kindergarten through grade twelve.

Fitz-Gerald also worked to introduce Senate Bill 219, which limits railroad liability where FasTracks is located. Her resolution to Congress to create a nationwide shared risk pool of federal dollars so that communities can buy cheaper insurance to indemnify the railroads whose corridors we are using. Without these concessions to the railroads, Fitz-Gerald said, the chosen FasTracks corridors may not be available for light-rail use.

While we will miss Fitz-Gerald's influence and experience, we understand her reasoning for stepping down to fundraise aggressively for the coming campaign. She faces a tough race from two other savvy, intimidating Democrats vying for the Senate seat being vacated next year by U.S. Rep. Mark Udall.

Time is short.

With the primary less than nine months away, if she is to succeed, her time is now. She faces formidable opposition from Jared Polis and Will Shafroth, who have, to date, raised $825,000 and $504,000 respectively to Fitz-Gerald's $624,000.

Despite no longer having her direct influence locally, she will be a force to reckon with on the national level.

It would have been advantageous, however, for Jefferson County and its residents to have Fitz-Gerald's power and influence for another full term in office.

It is something we have to forego and that is unfortunate. For there is something to be said about those who finish what they start.

Need we remind Fitz-Gerald what she said after being re-elected to the senate seat just a year ago: "I'll do my best to keep representing them in a way that makes them proud."

Let's hope Fitz-Gerald will continue to carry out her promise to voters as she embarks on this new stage of her political career.