El Paso County Commissioner Peggy Littleton is weighing a run for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Michael Bennet, The Colorado Statesman has learned.

Should she enter the crowded field of GOP candidates, she will be the second El Paso County commissioner in the race. Darryl Glenn has been in the running since early this year. Two other El Paso County Republicans are also hoping to unseat Bennet — declared candidate Charlie Ehler and businessman Robert Blaha, who has said he’s strongly considering a run but has yet to announce.

Republicans have been scrambling to find a candidate to challenge Bennet, considered the lone vulnerable incumbent Democratic senator in next year’s election.

Other Republicans vying in the primary include state Sen. Tim Neville, R-Littleton, and former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez. State Sen. Ray Scott, R-Grand Junction, told The Colorado Statesman last month that he’s deciding whether to throw his hat in the ring. Former Aurora Councilman Ryan Frazier said last week that he’s considering a bid for the seat.

The list of Republicans who have passed on a primary run for Bennet’s seat is even longer, including U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, District Attorney George Brauchler, Senate President Bill Cadman, Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel, state Sens. Ellen Roberts and Jerry Sonnenberg, former Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp and Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith.

Littleton, who is serving her second term as commissioner, was a member of the state Board of Education from 2004 to 2011 and taught for 15 years, including home-schooling her three children and as a faculty member at Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and the Colorado Springs Christian School, according to her commissioner campaign website.

Littleton didn’t return a phone call seeking comment about her potential bid.

ernest@coloradostatesman.com