Democrats take back state Senate seat in Pueblo

Rep. Leroy Garcia is moving from the Colorado House to the Colorado Senate. Garcia won the state Sen. District 3 race against Republican incumbent George Rivera.

“Today we have proved to the state that Pueblo matters,” said Garcia, a Democrat, during his acceptance speech before dozens at Union Depot.

Rivera held the seat for one year after state Sen. Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) was ousted during a recall election in 2013. When KRDO NewsChannel 13 spoke with Rivera, he had not conceded but said he was grateful for those who’ve backed him.

“I had nothing but the greatest support from the folks that worked on my campaign,” Rivera said.

As of 12:444 a.m., unofficial election results showed Garcia leading Rivera with 4,246 votes. Pueblo County clerk Bo Ortiz said roughly 4,876 votes still need to be counted.

Garcia said as a state senator, his focus will be on families. “When I talk to people at the doors, when I talk to them on the phone, they’re focused on issues that are affecting them today,” he said.