Incumbent loses to challenger in District 11 state Senate race

On Tuesday night, the third time was a charm for Mike Merrifield of Colorado Springs.

The Democrat, 67, lost a 2010 bid to be an El Paso County commissioner and was beaten in a try for the City Council in 2011.

However, on election night, Merrifield received 52 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Bernie Herpin, 71, who gathered 42 percent of the vote.

“It took a year of hard work,” Merrifield said. “My team and I knocked on 17,000 doors. It’s humbling when you lose, but you learn from it.”

Herpin rode to the Senate last year on a wave of criticism of gun control legislation. He was appointed to finish the term of John Morse, who was ousted in the state’s first-ever recall election.

Merrifield said he no longer considers gun control an issue.

“I think the legislation that was passed is reasonable,” he said. “As a gun owner myself, I supported it. I don’t plan to introduce any gun legislation. I’ll just leave it there.”

Herpin declined comment Tuesday.

Merrifield has experience at the state capitol. He served several terms in the House before being term-limited. He also previously served on the Manitou Springs City Council.

District 11 includes Manitou Springs and part of Colorado Springs.

Merrifield said his goals include revitalizing southeast Colorado Springs, improving education and creating a better business climate.

Merrifield is a cancer survivor and said he used his experience overcoming it as motivation during his campaign.

Norman Dawson, a Libertarian candidate, received six percent of the vote.