State Senator Perry Will announced his decision to step down from the state legislature and run for a position on the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners. The move comes as Will’s decision adds him to a competitive race following the retirement of longtime county commissioner John Martin.
With the departure of Martin from the county commissioner position, the race to fill the vacancy has attracted several candidates. Among them, Silt resident Caleb Waller is the only other Republican who has filed to run for the county commissioner seat. Additionally, Democrats Caitlin Carey and Doug Salg have entered the race, highlighting the increasing political diversity in Garfield County.
Garfield County, once a stronghold of conservative values, has recently experienced a political shift. In the 2020 election, Martin narrowly beat his Democratic opponent, with a margin of less than 2%. Similarly, Republican incumbent Commissioner Tom Jankovsky won his re-election bid in 2022 by a margin of less than 1.5%.
According to Will, one of the primary reasons behind his decision to leave the state Capitol is his desire to be more present in his district.
In an interview with the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Will expressed his longing for a closer connection to his community, including attending his grandkids’ ball games. The responsibilities and demands of being in Denver during the week have taken a toll on his personal life.
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Will previously served in the Colorado House in 2020 but lost to Rep. Elizabeth Velasco in the 2022 election. However, in early 2023, he was appointed by a Republican selection committee to fill a vacancy in the Colorado Senate District 5. Building on his experience and relationships gained in the legislature, Will hopes to leverage his expertise to address local issues in Garfield County.
If successful, Will intends to prioritize critical areas such as infrastructure, housing, water management, workforce development, and healthcare. By utilizing his legislative experience, he aims to bring effective solutions to these challenges facing the county.
The primary election for the county commissioner position is scheduled for June 25.