Lindeman ends campaign for House seat

Editor:

It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing an early end to my campaign for HD58. Due to circumstances outside of my control, I am unable to continue my bid for this Colorado House seat. 

I’d like to thank Jim Starr, Marsha Collins, Mike Callihan, and the rest of the amazing Gunnison County Democrats for getting me involved in the race for HD58 and for all of the advice and support. The same goes for our wonderful County Commissioners Laura Puckett Daniels, Liz Smith, and Jonathan Houck. We’re lucky to have you. Also, thank you Shad Murib, Kate Sneed, and Joe Zemek from the Colorado Democratic Party, as well as Nick Poprocki of the House Majority Project for all of your training, support, and help with my campaign. You put a lot of care into my down-ballot race and I am truly appreciative. Thank you to Amy Newfield, Perry Hopper, Xenia Trambitas, Jeff Brateman, and Shannon Hessler for being a stupendous campaign team. I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without you. I’d also like to thank Bobbie, Holly, Dea, Rain, Cass, Drew, and the rest of the Democrats from HD58. Your welcome was warm and exactly what we need more of in rural politics. Thank you to Judy and Carolyn for housing my wife, Nel, and me while on the campaign trail. Finally and most importantly, thank you to my wife, Nel Burkett. You’ve been in the trenches with me since day one and you’ve been an unwavering supporter and the hardest working person on the campaign. Our time together on this campaign has been incredibly important to me and I love you. 

It was challenging to get a campaign up and running in the time that we did but it was also rewarding. Nel and I got to almost every corner of this huge district and never failed to find a friendly face and good conversation. We ran a campaign that focused on being present in the communities of the district and learning from their perspectives. We stressed the need to build that community across party lines and we were ready for the hard work that it would require. We believed that the solutions for our district wouldn’t come from partisan rhetoric, that it would come from rolling up our sleeves and coming to the table together. That’s the brand of rural politics that HD58 needs. 

That is why it is with regret that I announce that I will not be on this November's ballot. We received word from the Secretary of State over Labor Day weekend. It has been a blow, however the work continues. While last week may have been the end of my 2026 campaign, today is day 1 of my 2028 campaign. I’m excited to spend the next year building community across the district and working with you to build solutions we can take to the State House in two years. 

I haven't gotten the pleasure of meeting Rep. Suckla yet, although I look forward to it. Congratulations on your 2026 campaign for re-election. I want to challenge you to be the best representative for HD58 that you can be and then try to be a little better. That is what the people of our fair district deserve. 

Alec Lindeman