Bob Roth, a former member of the Aurora City Council and mayor pro tem, is seeking a spot in the state Senate.

A Republican, Roth filed paperwork Monday to run for the District 26 seat held by Democrat Jeff Bridges of Greenwood Village, a former House member who was appointed to the seat by a vacancy committee last year when Democrat Daniel Kagan resigned.

Roth faces Brenda Valdez-Stokes of Littleton in the GOP primary. Stokes ran unsuccessfully for Littleton City Council five years ago and led a failed recall attempt against state Rep. Tom Sullivan of Centennial last year. She lost in a bid to replace Republican Rep. Susan Beckman in House District 38 this month, when a party vacancy committee chose former Columbine Valley Mayor Richard Champion. 

The district includes parts of Aurora, Bow Mar, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Englewood, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, Littleton and Sheridan.

Roth pledged to lead on fiscal responsibility, water resources management, improving Colorado’s infrastructure and tailoring educational pathways with K-12, trade school and traditional college learning.

“The Colorado state legislature works best when there is a split General Assembly that represents a better balance for the people of Colorado,” Roth said in a statement. “Having served on several regional boards and commissions, I understand how to collaborate with people who have diverse opinions and to do it for the good of the constituents.”

Besides his service on the Aurora City Council, Roth has been the chair and an executive board member for the Denver Regional Council of Governments, an executive board member of the Colorado Municipal League, a board member for the Associated General Contractors of Colorado and a governor’s appointee to the Regional Air Quality Council.

Roth also has been a board member of Aurora Sister Cities International and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, as well as serving on the E-470 Highway Authority.

He is a former mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and was a 2019 nominee for Man of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“Having served with Bob Roth on the Aurora City Council for many years, I strongly endorse his campaign for Senate District 26,” former Aurora Mayor Bob LeGare said in a statement released by Roth’s campaign. “Bob is well-informed, listens to all sides of an issue and works hard for the benefit of his constituents.”

Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Sharpe added her endorsement, as well.

“Having served on multiple boards with Bob I know his dedication to public service and how hard he works at it,” she stated. “Having seen him in the community, I know how much he cares about his constituents. I am confident that he would bring the same attributes to the state Capitol.”

Former Greenwood Village Mayor Ron Rakowsky added, “Bob Roth represents all the positive aspects of a dedicated public servant. Intellect, integrity and compassion.”