Democratic lawmaker and playmaker Morgan Carroll wants to succeed Colorado state party Chair Rick Palacio when he steps down in the spring.

Carroll, a term-limited state senator from Aurora who unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Republican Mike Coffman in this year’s 6th Congressional District race, announced Wednesday morning that she would seek the party post when Palacio’s term ends. Palacio announced Tuesday he will not seek another term.

“Colorado has had some extraordinary successes. It is also a great opportunity to learn, grow and re-invent the party and I would be honored to lead the party through this transition,” Carroll said in a statement.

Colorado Democrats had a bit of a manic election night. Hillary Clinton won the state on a night when she lost many other battlegrounds. And Michael Bennet held onto his U.S. Senate seat though he faced a lackluster challenge by Republican Darryl Glenn. Democrats also picked up three seats in the Colorado House.

Colorado Democrats also are proud of Rebecca McClellan, whose election will give Democrats a majority on the State Board of Education for the first time in 50 years.

But the party was unable to take back control of the Colorado Senate. And congressional candidates underperformed, including Carroll, who lost by 8 points, and Gail Schwartz of Crested Butte, who mounted a spirited challenge against incumbent Scott Tipton in the 3rd Congressional District, but ultimately lost by 15 points.

In an email to supporters on Tuesday, Palacio didn’t elaborate much on his decision not to seek re-election.

“With a new year also comes new beginnings, so I’m reaching out to you to let you know that when our party reorganizes this spring, I will begin a new adventure and I won’t be seeking re-election as your party chair,” Palacio wrote.

“I am confident that together we have expanded, and fortified our reach, and that we now have an organization built to last.”

The question is whether Colorado Democrats will be able to unite around Carroll. The party has seen infighting between the “political revolution” Bernie Sanders side and its more establishment Hillary Clinton membership, a scenario that played out during the primary this year.

But insiders say conversations have taken place to bridge the divide. Dave Sabados, chairman of Colorado Young Democrats and a left-leaning political consultant, will run alongside Carroll for the party’s first vice-chairman position. Sabados, who consulted on the universal health care ballot initiative, has support on the Sanders side of the Democratic spectrum.

“Our job is to unite to defend and protect our values, people and the planet and make sure we are in a good position to build on our successes and to win in local, state and federal races,” Carroll said. “Winning those seats is not simply a tally on a score card but will impact the economic opportunities and personal freedoms of millions of people.”