Another Colorado Democrat is eyeing a run against GOP Rep. Mike Coffman, who has turned back three serious Democratic attempts to dislodge him in his suburban Denver seat. The Colorado Statesman reports that Levi Tillemann, a clean energy expert who served in Obama’s Department of Energy, has formed an exploratory committee for a potential bid. Tillemann is the grandson of ex-Lt. Gov. Nancy Dick, who left office three decades ago and is chairing his committee. On the other side of the family, Tillemann’s grandfather is the late California Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor to ever serve in Congress.
A few other Democrats have entered the race, and the Coffman campaign took some time to use Tillemann to troll one of his would-be primary rivals. Coffman’s team argued that Tillemann is running against veteran Jason Crow, whom they call the DCCC’s “anointed” candidate “over all these other more grassroots, more progressive candidates.” When a different Democrat, attorney David Aarestad, announced he would run, Coffman’s campaign also framed this as a grassroots Democrat running against the DCCC’s handpicked candidate. It’s unclear if Coffman believes Crow would be his toughest opponent, or if he’s just causing some mischief because he can; there’s also no word if the DCCC actually prefers Crow over anyone else.
However, Tillemann and Aarestad do have one talking point that Crow doesn’t have. Crow currently lives just outside the district in Denver, while Aarestad noted in his announcement that he’s from the 6th District. The Statesman also reports that Tillemann lives in Aurora, which is well within the 6th. Clinton carried this seat 50-41, but Coffman won re-election last cycle 51-43 over a touted Democratic candidate.