Colorado Republican lawmaker drops out of race because he can't make child support payments

A Colorado Republican state lawmaker was forced to drop out of his reelection campaign because he was unable to pay his child support fees.

A judge denied lowering child support payments for Rep. Tim Leonard (R-Evergreen) after reviewing his legislative earnings.

His child support payments are $2,500 and he said he was unable to make these payments and be lawmaker at the same time.

"I cannot be a citizen legislator and abide by the court’s ruling,” Leonard said. “I’ve got to do one or the other."

Leonard has six children ranging from 10-24 years old and has been divorced for six years. He said it was sad that he is unable to be both a single dad and member of the government.

“It really narrows the field,” Leonard said. “You can’t have citizen’s candidates anymore. It self-selects.”

His office is now looking for a replacement. “Now there is a window for my replacement,” he said. “The vacancy committee can meet, and they can win in a Republican district. And my district doesn’t have to be the victim of my family’s personal situation.”

Leonard was first elected to represent his county in 2016.