Mark Waller, currently a member of the El Paso Board of County Commissioners and a former state representative, announced Thursday he will run for the 4th Judicial District Attorney position in the 2020 election.

Waller is running to replace current District Attorney Dan May, who is term-limited in 2020.

The 4th Judicial District includes El Paso and Teller counties.

Waller previously served as deputy district attorney for the 10th Judicial District, Pueblo. He served three terms in the Colorado House, first elected in 2008, defeating Rep. Douglas Bruce, who had been appointed to the seat for the 2008 session. 

Waller also served as House Minority Leader in the 2013 session. He chose not to run for a fourth term, instead focusing on the Attorney General race for 2014.

While he made the ballot at the GOP’s state assembly, he dropped out in favor of Cynthia Coffman, who was elected to the post that November.

He was elected in 2016 to serve on the El Paso Board of County Commissioners, representing District 2, which encompasses eastern Colorado Springs and up to the edge of northeastern El Paso County. Waller defeated Tim Geitner, who is now serving as the state representative for House District 19.

Waller’s background also includes service in the U.S. Air Force. He was deployed to Iraq in 2006, and prosecuted insurgents in Baghdad during the Iraq War.

It’s those experiences that Waller says position him for the District Attorney position.

“I think this is a great opportunity to serve. I’ve spent almost a lifetime of my professional career in public service, and in particular, service to public safety. I’m the right person at the right time for this job,” he told Colorado Politics in an exclusive interview.

“I don’t think there’s anyone out there with more experience or more of a proven record on public safety issues than I. And I think all my experience has given me at tremendous amount of vision to make the office even more successful than it is now.”

The announcement comes more than 16 months ahead of the November, 2020 general election, but Waller said now is the time to announce.

Realistically, the race will come down to whomever wins the primary, he noted, and the first caucuses are just over nine months away, with the state assembly a month later.

Announcing now sends a strong signal, Waller said. “We want to get a strong head start on fundraising, and the early announcement tells people that he’s serious.

“I know I’m the right person for the job,” he said.

He also told Colorado Politics that Sheriff Bill Elder of El Paso County will serve as honorary co-chair of the campaign. “I’m pleased and blessed to have his support,” given that the district attorney and sheriff  work closely together.

The other advantage, according to Bob Loevy, retired professor of political science at Colorado College, is in clearing the field. 

Traditionally, Loevy said people make these announcements early to convince other people to stay out of the race.

There may be others who are thinking about it, Loevy said, but they will see someone who does this as a stronger candidate who can raise the money.

“Many candidates who announce early are strong candidates who will scare others out,” he said.

As to Waller’s candidacy, Loevy says Waller “fits the model. He’s held office, he’s well known in the county and is the type who would announce early to convince others not to get into the race.”