Pueblo, CO — On Monday morning, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold officially announced her candidacy for Colorado Attorney General, a position currently held by Phil Weiser, who is running for governor.
In a statement released early Monday, Griswold highlighted the urgency of the moment, stressing her commitment to stand up for Coloradans in what she described as a “critical moment” for the state. “I am running for attorney general because Colorado needs a strong, proven leader,” Griswold said. “I’ll stand up to Donald Trump to protect our rights and freedoms. I’ll fight for working- and middle-class Coloradans, hold big corporations accountable, and safeguard our land, air, and water.”
During an interview later that day with Scripps News Denver anchor Jessica Porter, Griswold expanded on her platform, emphasizing her personal stake in the fight for reproductive rights. “As someone who grew up in rural Colorado on food stamps… fighting for the middle class, fighting for working people, is something that’s a top priority,” Griswold said. She further added that, as a mother and a woman, she would make protecting birth control, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and abortion care a top priority if elected.
Griswold’s decision to run for Attorney General marks a shift from her current role as Colorado Secretary of State, a position she has held since 2018. She was reelected to the post in 2022. Before entering politics, Griswold worked in various legal fields, including international anti-corruption law, business law, and election law. She also ran a small business, bringing a diverse background to her candidacy.
The race for the Attorney General’s office is already drawing significant attention, with other candidates in the mix, including Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty and former State Representative Crisanta Duran. Former Lieutenant Governor Gail Schoettler has been tapped to chair Griswold’s campaign, a decision that she announced on Monday.
In a statement, Schoettler praised Griswold’s leadership, saying, “Secretary Griswold is the strong leader we need as attorney general. As she always has, Jena will stand up to Donald Trump, MAGA extremists, and anyone who threatens the Colorado way of life. And as a woman, she’ll protect reproductive healthcare.”
Griswold has built a reputation as a defender of voter rights during her tenure as Secretary of State. Her efforts to ensure secure and accessible elections, both in-person and through mail-in ballots or dropboxes, have been praised across the state. In addition to expanding access to voting, Griswold has also cracked down on voter intimidation.
In a 2024 interview, Griswold firmly stated, “Voter intimidation is illegal, and it will not be accepted. We will enforce the law so that every Coloradan, Republican, Democrat, and unaffiliated have their rights respected and their voices heard.”
The 2020 election thrust Griswold into the national spotlight, particularly regarding election security. Her resolute stance against unfounded claims of voter fraud made her a target of harsh criticism from far-right figures. Critics have accused her of being too partisan, but her supporters have lauded her for standing firm against the spread of misinformation.
Griswold’s tenure has also not been without its challenges. In 2021, she became the target of numerous threats, including direct, violent threats shared with Scripps News Denver. Griswold bravely spoke out about the threats, which included a message that read, “I KNOW WHERE YOU SLEEP, I SEE YOU SLEEPING. BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID. I hope you die.” Despite the fear these threats instilled, Griswold remained undeterred in her commitment to her work.
As she now looks to transition to the role of Attorney General, Griswold’s extensive legal background and steadfast leadership on issues of election security, reproductive rights, and corporate accountability will likely continue to resonate with voters. The race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the state as Colorado voters prepare to choose their next Attorney General.
