House Republicans were the first to hold their leadership elections, even though the exact size of their caucus was still undetermined several days after the Nov. 4 election. But the trend was apparent, and members came to grips that despite early returns, which actually showed them closing in on grabbing control of the House away from Democrats, they once again would be relegated to minority status. Democrats will control the chamber 34-31 in the new session.

The fact that they increased their ranks by three and narrowed the Democrats’ margin to 31 was still considered good news, however.

“I am not 100 percent happy to be minority leader rather than the Republican speaker,” noted Rep. Brian DelGrosso, who was reelected to the leadership post without opposition on Nov. 7.

“We’ll be in a lot better position this year than the last two years,” he said. “We know that this year and next year they [Democrats] will have to take us seriously.”

DelGrosso, of Loveland, pointed out that his caucus would be at the forefront to ensure that rural Colorado is not forgotten under Democratic control.

Likewise, when it comes to jobs and the economy, DelGrosso said, his Republicans would make sure that those issues receive adequate attention in the 2015-16 session.

DelGrosso said he was humbled by the confidence of his colleagues in electing him their top leader. He reminded them that not that long ago he was “that pizza guy” who had never before stepped into the Capitol building until he was sworn in after a vacancy election gave him the seat in August of 2009 when then-Rep. Don Marostica resigned.

“I had to go buy a suit,” he reminisced about those early days. “And a new tie.”

He also recalled having Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen, “almost hold my hand to take me to my first committee because I didn’t know where the committee rooms were.” Now, a few years later, DelGrosso said, he is proud to lead the caucuus in the next session.

“We had a pretty uphill battle,” DelGrosso said. “Coming out of the last session, nobody, quite frankly, gave us much of a chance.” In fact, he recalled, there was talk from the other side of the chamber that the Democrats might even pick up some seats.

Then there were those reapportionment maps, DelGrosso said, “which were clearly drawn against us.” Add in liberalized new election laws sponsored by Democrats and the fact that Democratic candidates outraised Republicans 3:1 or even 4:1, and “the reality was we were able to see gains in the House.” DelGrosso said the GOP fielded some of the best legislative candidates ever.

DelGrosso discounted election year rhetoric that Republicans somehow waged a “war on women.”

“The caucus that is supposedly at war on women fielded 22 women and that was amazing,” he said.

And the newly reelected minority leader cited other statistics that he said point to the continued power of the GOP.

“In this election, almost 190,000 more Coloradans chose to vote for a House Republican instead of a House Democrat. That difference is more than three times the margin of victory in Colorado’s gubernatorial race, but shockingly still not enough to secure the House majority,” DelGrosso said.

“We’ll keep hearing [the Democrats’] spin that the people have spoken and they ran their agenda and are still in charge, but the reality is 200,000 voted against them,” the Republican leader said. “And in gerrymandered districts,” DelGrosso made sure to add.

Other House GOP leadership posts

State Rep. Libby Szabo, R-Arvada, was nominated and elected assistant minority leader by acclamation. Szabo talked about a bright future for the Republican members, but about a week before the elections, her political future with the caucus was not so clear.

There had been some speculation that Szabo might consider giving up her legislative seat to instead seek the seat being vacated by Jefferson county commissioner Faye Griffin after being elected county clerk on Nov. 4.

Although Szabo didn’t discount the idea entirely, she said it was mainly the product of an overactive rumor mill. She told The Colorado Statesman in late October that she was primarily concerned with her legislative race and helping secure a majority in the chamber. One of Szabo’s supporters told The Statesman this week that Szabo’s leadership position in the House likely precluded her from considering the county commissioner slot.

Rep. Polly Lawrence, R-Douglas County, was reelected caucus whip, and then the attention of the caucus zeroed in on the only contested race of the day, that of caucus chair. Held by Rep. Kathleen Conti, R-Littleton, two other Republican lawmakers were also vying for the position.

Rep.-elect Jack Tate of Arapahoe County nominated Conti for reelection. Their districts border each other, Tate said, and he personally witnessed Conti’s level of organization and commitment to the ground game. “We need to keep that level of expertise in the leadership,” he said.

“It’s been a joy and honor to have served you the past two years,” Conti said, “and to know your likes and dislikes, and that includes chocolate ice cream for Rep. Wilson, and if I can ever figure out that freezer, you will get that, sir,” she pledged. Conti added that she recognizes the special dietary needs and desires of caucus members and would do her best to keep them in mind.

She also said that she had tried to bring transparency to the position by putting the bank account of the caucus online and making herself more accountable on financial matters.

Rep. Perry Buck, R-Windsor, was also nominated for caucus chair and members were reminded of the description that her husband, Congressman-elect Ken Buck, used to describe his spouse when he called her “a hummingbird on Red Bull.”

Buck was also lauded by her nominator for having “true conservative values” that she would use in the leadership role.

Buck said she was prepared to devote time to the caucus post since she was not just as an empty nester, but also as “an empty empty nester.”

“I am a former event planner,” Buck continued, and she said she could provide for all the members’ dietary needs to be met. “We all know when we need a pick up and I want to be with you for your snack needs,” she said.

Rep, Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain, was likewise nominated for the caucus chairmanship.

“Caucus chair is much more than serving food,” Landgraf began. “We have one member who is total non-dairy and another who is meat and potatoes, and while that is important I feel that the job is to be a resource for the caucus, to be there for you, to make sure your bills are going right.” She referred members to a printout she had distributed beforehand outlining her reasons for wanting the leadership role. “It’s food, but it’s much much more,” she said before ballots were passed out.

None of the candidates received a majority of the votes in the first round and Conti was eliminated for the second round because she received the least number of votes.

Landgraf defeated Buck in the second round of balloting.

“We’re not going to have food,” she joked after her name was announced as the winner.Members of the caucus thanked Conti for her hard work and dedication as caucus chair.

— Jody@coloradostatesman.com