By Kathy Groob, Publisher – While Linda Newell (D-Colorado) was scrambling to find a candidate for an open Colorado senate seat, she did not consider the job for herself.  It was only after the party was unable to find someone else that officials came to her saying “why don’t you run?”  Ultimately it was Linda Newell’s two daughters who encouraged her to run for Colorado state senate.

With the Democratic candidate dropping out so close to the filing deadline, Linda Newell entered the race late after her two teenage daughters said, “Mom, you’ve absolutely got to do this.”  Newell said to herself, “I need to model this for my girls.”  She took the risk and pushed down all her fears.  Newell is a resident of Littleton, Colorado.

Politics was always a part of Linda Newell’s life but she did not necessarily hold dreams of one day becoming a candidate.  Newell remembers sitting on her father’s shoulders meeting President Kennedy and she spent years volunteering for the Democratic Party.  “It was very natural for me to volunteer and get involved in Democratic politics as an adult,” said Newell.

As a single mom and businesswoman, Linda Newell did not believe she had the time or financial strength to run for office. Somehow, all the elements came together that helped Newell make the decision to run. She had been caring for her mother who was ill and after she passed away in May, Newell jumped into the campaign in June.  “I felt my mother’s angel wings on my shoulders,” said Newell.

Because she was so late getting into the race, Linda Newell immediately began campaigning seven days a week for 20 hours a day. “I was behind in the fundraising and many of the dollars were already spoken for,” said Newell.  She ultimately raised $30,000 for the senate seat that had never been won before by a Democrat.

“I knew I had to outwork my opponent and we knocked on over 30,000 doors from July through Election Day,” said Newell.  “I attended every community event, forum and meet and greet in the neighborhoods throughout my district.”  The race was a squeaker and so close that Linda Newell did not know for two after the election that she had officially won the seat.

“Going door to door and speaking to so many voters, I learned that they were so tired of the extreme partisanship and looking for a moderate candidate who would put their interests first,” said Newell. Her strong business background helped her to win the district and has given her the keys to her success in the legislature.

Since being sworn into office, Linda Newell has passed over 24 bills each year and has been a strong advocate for small businesses, child protection and in health care.  “I’ve worked very hard to listen to the needs and wishes of my district and to get things done in the legislature,” said Newell.  “I try very hard to have bi-partisan support and sponsors on every piece of legislation I sponsor.”

Newell is a supporter of women in business and for encouraging more women to become involved in the political arena.  She has been working with women’s chamber of commerce groups and has hosted women at the capitol for shadowing and discussion about get more women being capable and more effective as legislators. Colorado ranks first in the United States with 40% for women holding office in its state legislature.  49% of the members of the Senate are women and 37% of the members in the House of Representatives are female.

Linda Newell knows she will face a tough election challenge next year in 2012.  “I will remain focused on communicating and listening to my constituents and because of my background, have helped people with job skills and employment law,” said Newell.  Aside from her daughters, “serving in the Senate is my priority.  I hope that I am making a difference as to how we conduct ourselves and that we progress as a society.”

For more information, visit http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/Senate/members/Sen26.htm