District 7 stays in familiar hands

In the race for Congressional District 7 seat, voters opted to retain consistency, electing incumbent Ed Perlmutter for a fifth term.

“Everybody at every level worked so hard to help us win a fifth time,” Perlmutter said during a speech at the state’s Democratic party Tuesday evening. “Tonight is going to be a long night for some … we’re going to pull it out, we’re going to win these things and we’re going to hold the senate.”

Upon the release of preliminary results Perlmutter was in the lead with approximately 54.38 percent or 87,533 votes.

Recently named the “Legislator of the Year” by the National Association for Housing and Redevelopment Officials for his work in affordable housing, Perlmutter is no stranger to the legislature.

With roots in Jefferson County, he said he is well accustomed to needs of Jeffco constituents. During his last 4 terms, the congressman has been active in the building of a new Veterans Administration hospital in Aurora; he supports immigration reform and has done work in ensuring mental heath care is available for veterans.

“What it really comes down to is helping the hardworking people in the middle, that’s what the seventh congressional district is,” he said.

His opponent, Don Ytterberg, declined to comment on election night.

Ytterberg began his campaign in January. Prior to the start of this campaign, he served as both the chairman for the Jefferson County Republican Party and the vice chairman for the Colorado Republican Party. He ran for the state senate in 2008, losing to the Summit County Sen. Dan Gibbs. A small business owner, Ytterberg is supportive of the industry and currently owns Arvada-based Advanced Surface Technologies, 6155 W. 54th Ave, a small nickel-plating business. He lives in Golden with his wife, Kim.

“There are so many more things we still have to accomplish – comprehensive immigration reform, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and ensuring equal pay for equal work,” Perlmutter said.

Perlmutter currently resides in Arvada with his wife, Nancy, and family of six grown children and two dogs.

“For me, it’s a privilege to represent you, the people of the seventh congressional district, you people of the state of Colorado, in the congress of the United States of America,” he said, “and it will be a privilege for me to again represent you for a fifth time –; as your neighbor and your voice.”

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