Gun-control advocate Shannon Watts has decided against running to replace U.S. Rep. Jared Polis in the 2nd Congressional District, saying that she wants to stay focused on her work with her Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organization instead.

“I’m grateful to the support I received as I spent the summer considering a run for office in Colorado, particularly from women who are hoping a female candidate enters what is currently a race of all-male candidates,” the Boulder woman told The Denver Post. “While Colorado has a significant amount of women represented in our state legislature, we need more women in leadership roles like governor and our members of Congress.”

She added: “I’ll work hard behind the scenes to make sure that happens.”

Watts had been mulling a run for the congressional seat since June after Polis announced he was running for Colorado governor.

Ken Toltz, another Boulder gun-control advocate and a former failed candidate in the 6th Congressional District, has also been weighing whether to get in on the contest as a Democrat. It’s not clear when he will decide.

At least three Democrats are already running for the spot.

Joe Neguse, a former University of Colorado regent and former executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, and Loveland Democrat Howard Dotson are announced candidates for the post.

Earlier this month Mark Williams, the former chairman of the Boulder County Democratic Party, announced he was running, as well.

Daily Camera photo Mark Williams

Denver Post file Joe Neguse made a failed run at being Colorado's Secretary of State in 2014.

David Zalubowski, Associated Press file Jared Polis, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Mark Udall in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, addresses the crowd during the Democrats' gala in Denver on Nov. 4, 2008.



The seat, long-controlled by Democrats, includes all of Boulder and Larimer counties and also spans into surrounding areas, from Eagle to Park and Jefferson counties. Neguse has endorsements from a swath of the Colorado Democratic Party’s top names, but a busier-than-expected primary has begun to form.

Watts’ decision means she won’t be a force in the race. She has big social media following and has worked across the nation on gun-control issues through Moms Demand, which she founded in 2012 after the Sandy Hook school massacre.

“Ultimately, I decided my work with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Rise to Run is more important than ever, given the election of Donald Trump, and right now I’m going to stay focused on helping to shape the laws and elections that impact women,” she said.

As of Tuesday, the Federal Election Commission’s website did not identify any Republicans as having filed their candidacy papers for the seat.

Todd Mitchem is running for the position as a Libertarian, and Nick Thomas has filed to run as an independent.







