Colorado Republican citing politics of ‘current events’ resigns and exits race

The district attorney for Colorado’s 7th Judicial District is resigning from his seat and not seeking reelection for a second term, he announced earlier this week.

Seth Ryan, a Republican, announced on Monday that he plans to resign at the end of October. He then withdrew his candidacy for the November election with the secretary of state. The Republican was running unopposed.

“The COVID pandemic and the political aftermath of current events has made it extremely challenging to find, recruit, and retain qualified attorneys,” he said in a statement. “It is no longer sustainable for me to cover the daily requirements of court schedules across our nearly 10,000 square mile District while effectively managing, developing, and supervising staff; circumstances beyond my control cannot be overcome.”

The attorney turnover rate in the office was over 50% this year.

He also cited physical and mental health concerns.

Ballot content was certified on Sept. 9, so that means voters in the 7th Judicial District, which includes Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties, will still see Ryan’s name on their ballots.

The Colorado Republican Party has the ability to nominate a replacement candidate to fill the vacancy, and votes for Ryan will be counted towards that replacement candidate. It is too late for a write-in candidate to enter the race.

Because Ryan is resigning before the end of his term, Gov. Jared Polis will need to appoint his replacement to serve the remainder of the term.

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