Governor Jared Polis has appointed State Senator Kevin Van Winkle as a member of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners, replacing Lora Thomas who resigned in early December. Van Winkle had been elected to the commission in November after Thomas was term-limited. However, due to the Colorado Constitution not allowing someone to hold two elected positions simultaneously, Van Winkle submitted a letter of resignation from the state Senate. He is expected to rescind this letter and issue a new one effective immediately.
Van Winkle recently participated in Douglas County’s “State of the County” event and will serve out the remainder of Thomas’s term, which was set to end in January. The Douglas County GOP did not convene a vacancy committee to select a replacement for Thomas, giving the governor authority to appoint Van Winkle to the position.
Thomas resigned following years of alleged harassment and abuse by her fellow commissioners. Van Winkle, who had previously served two years of a four-year term in the state Senate, will now have to be replaced in that position. Potential candidates mentioned for the legislative seat include Brandi Bradley, Kim Ransom, John Carson, and Priscilla Rahn.
Van Winkle’s appointment to the Board of County Commissioners marks a shift in leadership for Douglas County and highlights the importance of following state laws regarding elected positions. The upcoming selection of a replacement for Van Winkle in the state Senate will also be closely watched within the community.
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