Senate leader announces congressional bid

As expected, Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, announced his plans to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Garder for the 4th Congressional District.

Shaffer, who's facing term limits in the Colorado Legislature next year and won't be able to seek another term, had been expected to jump into the race for months. He did so Monday at a July 4 barbeque with friends and family. He is to file his paperwork to become a candidate later today.

Shaffer and Gardner know each other fairly well. Gardner, who was elected to Congress last year, also served in the Legislature, but in the Colorado House.

Shaffer is a third generation Coloradan and former naval officer who served two deployments to the Persian Gulf. He has served in the Senate since 2005 and was chosen by his peers to serve as one of the youngest Senate presidents in Colorado history.

He lives in Longmont with his wife, Jessicca, and two children, Madison and Dylan.