U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s gubernatorial announcement on Sunday set into motion a competitive fight for a vulnerable open congressional seat.

Lakewood Democrats Brittany Pettersen, a state representative, and Andy Kerr, a state senator, quickly announced their intentions to run in the 7th Congressional District, with the hopes of keeping the seat in Democratic control.

“Too many families in Colorado are facing tough times and we need leaders who understand those challenges,” Pettersen said in a statement. “When it comes to good schools for Colorado kids, access to health care for everyone and protecting seniors from cuts to Social Security, I’ll stand up to Donald Trump and fight for regular people.”

“Ed has a been a friend, a mentor, and a role model for public service,” Kerr added.  “And yes, I will be entering the race for his congressional seat, with a formal announcement soon.”

Kerr is expected to host a campaign kickoff Wednesday at a middle school in Lakewood.

“The working families of Adams and Jefferson counties should have someone who listens to them, who hears them, and who fights for opportunities and a better life for them and their children. As a husband and father of three who grew up here myself, I would be honored to represent them.”

Other Democrats also are considering a run, including state Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp of Arvada and state Sen. Dominick Moreno of Commerce City.

Perlmutter’s campaign said he plans on holding the seat as he campaigns for governor.

“When your congressional seat comes open, you think about it,” Kraft-Tharp said

“I wouldn’t say I’m there yet,” Moreno added. “I’m still considering … if there’s an appetite to have one more person jump into this race.

“I bring a little bit of a different perspective coming from Adams (County). Adams is a more working class community; has more of the folks that have been feeling left behind …”

Also rumored to have been considering a run was state Rep. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge.

“I was honored that so many folks asked me to consider running for the seat. After talking it over with family and supporters, I’ve decided that now is not the right time to run for Congress,” Danielson said. “I am focused on getting things done for Jeffco at the statehouse and I want to continue the work I am doing.”

Moreno said it’s hard not to consider the chance at a run for Congress.

“It’s a pretty rare opportunity that a congressional seat comes open in Colorado, so I imagine there will be many, many people looking to run.”

A chance for Republicans 

The open seat also presents opportunities for Republicans to take back control.

Prior to Perlmutter, the district was represented by well-known politician Bob Beauprez. Beauprez stepped down in 2006 to run for governor, but he lost to Democrat Bill Ritter. He again ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014 against incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper.

Much of the Democrats’ success in the 7th District revolves around Perlmutter and his strong ability to campaign and raise money. Perlmutter has an ability to work with Republicans across the aisle and reach middle-of-the-road voters.

Of total active and inactive voters in the district, Democrats make up 34 percent, while Republicans comprise 26 percent of the district, according to registration numbers with the secretary of state’s office through March. The swing is the 188,998 total unaffiliated voters, who make up 38 percent of the district.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity with the right candidate,” said Joe Webb, chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. “It will probably be healthy, and once we come out of the primary, they will be unified because there probably would be more of an opportunity to coalesce around one candidate, as opposed to just somebody who might have run against Ed.”

Small businessman Don Ytterberg, who unsuccessfully challenged Perlmutter in 2014, is interested in pursuing the seat again. Ytterberg served as vice chair of the state Republican Party and chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party.

“There are issues that we would like to get solved,” Ytterberg said, adding that he would focus on financial issues facing the district and nation.

Jefferson County Commissioner Libby Szabo is also rumored to be considering a run. Szabo previously served in the state legislature as the assistant minority leader in the House. She was serving her third term when she was chosen by her party to fill a vacant seat.

Former U.S. Senate candidate Jerry Natividad, who failed to make the primary ballot at last year’s Republican state convention, is also rumored to be considering a run. Natividad is a somewhat well-known Hispanic businessman in Republican circles.

“It doesn’t matter who wins in the sense that all of them would be a much better congressman, or congresswoman, than Ed Perlmutter in the 7th District,” Webb said.