Paccione to Challenge Musgrave to Represent Colorado Families in Washington

Fort Collins, Colorado -- State Representative Angie Paccione today announced her candidacy for Congress from Colorado's 4th Congressional District.

"The people of the 4th CD cannot endure another term of Marilyn Musgrave," said Paccione. "She has grown too close to the special interests in Washington, leaving her out of touch with the people here at home, and distracted from the critical issues facing America and this state. She had an opportunity to make a difference in Washington, and she has failed."

Paccione, a Democrat who has lived in Colorado for twenty years, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2002, re-elected in 2004, and is currently Chairwoman of the Majority Caucus. Her work across the aisle with other legislators has helped craft solutions to the real problems that Coloradoans face every day.

After careers as a professional athlete, a scholar, and an educator, Dr. Paccione plunged into political life with her typical hard work and ability to get along with people, and emerged in the Colorado legislature as someone who gets things done.

"It's about what's right, not who's right - that is what is most important," Paccione said. Numerous bills and resolutions have flowed from her desk to improve Colorado in the fields of health care, job growth and training, consumer and environmental protection, public education, and support for our men and women in uniform.

Paccione decided to run for Congress when she concluded that Musgrave has abandoned the people who sent her to Washington. Particularly alarming is her penchant for siding with big money and special interests, her extremist positions, and her unflinching loyalty to scandal-tainted House Speaker Tom DeLay of Texas.

Musgrave recently provided the pivotal vote to pass CAFTA - trade legislation that threatens the very livelihood of the 4th District's sugar beet farmers.

"The people of the 4th District are smart, and they now see Musgrave for what she is - a partisan, out-of-touch puppet for the special interests in Washington D.C.," said Paccione. "I look forward to debating her before bipartisan audiences early and often on the issues most important to Colorado families - issues that really matter - and on her poor record in Congress."