When we started this race back in November of 2018, we knew we would face challenges beyond measure. What we didn't expect was how much support we received. We did not expect our first organizing meeting to bring 40 people into the same room from all over Colorado. We did not expect to see our messaging and our ideas adopted by multiple opponents. We did not expect to receive the notes from people all over the state and country letting us know that they feel heard for the first time. I never imagined the profound impact that our campaign and my candidacy would have on so many people. And I certainly never imagined the gift of meeting so many incredible people all across the state that I now consider family.

On March 5th COVID-19 popped up in Colorado. We had 12 days left in our tight, 60-day window to collect 1500 signatures from each of the seven congressional districts in Colorado. Our incredible team of 192 volunteers felt the impact immediately. Large and small events were canceled, people stopped opening their doors and our efforts to collect the necessary valid number of signatures became even more challenging than it already had been for a team composed almost entirely of volunteers.

The Colorado State Legislature acted swiftly to address the challenges with the assembly process, yet failed to address the public health of petition circulators and voters at the doors.

On March 17th, we submitted 13,812 reviewable signatures to the Secretary of State. While this was more than the 10,500 needed, the SOS threw out over 4,000 signatures for different reasons, leaving us below the 1500 threshold in some districts. The Colorado Democratic Party, other candidates, and the Secretary of State advised us that a possible remedy to address the inaction of the legislature was to sue the SOS for ballot access. So, we did.

We were granted ballot access by the district court, but the Secretary of State appealed that decision and we were removed without even being offered a chance to provide a response. We filed our case in federal court.

After a loss in federal court last night, it is with a heavy heart that the Lorena for Senate campaign has announced the suspension of its campaign for U.S. Senate. The judge issued a ruling based on facts alleged by the Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the Secretary of State’s office which were not supported by the record, and which the campaign disputes. Once again, the campaign was shut down without a hearing.