LEGISLATURE 2020 | Lundeen elected GOP Senate whip
Prior to the State of the State speech on Thursday, Republican senators huddled outside of the Senate chamber to elect a new minority whip.
Sen. Ray Scott, R-Grand Junction, told his caucus that he believed a senator should step down if he is in leadership and running for another office. Scott, the minority whip last session, is campaigning to be a Mesa County commissioner.
Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, nominated Sen. Paul Lundeen for the position. Lundeen, R-Monument, was unopposed.
Seconds before the vote, Sen. Kevin Priola, R-Adams County, jokingly asked if Lundeen planned to work on Fridays, prompting laughter.
Lundeen was elected unanimously, with the caucus’s lone female member, Sen. Vicki Marble, excused with permission. Sen. Chris Holbert, the minority leader, alluded to Marble’s absence by repeatedly addressing the group as “gentlemen.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct Marble’s official status Thursday.
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