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Republican State Senator Challenges US Rep. Polis

DENVER (AP) - One of the most conservative Republicans in the state Senate is taking on a two-term Democrat in a congressional district that includes the liberal stronghold of Boulder.

Sen. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud said Monday that he will challenge Democratic Rep. Jared Polis in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District.

Polis was first elected in 2008 and has faced only nominal Republican opposition. But the 2nd District is becoming more Republican as a result of congressional redistricting. It now includes Larimer County, which Lundberg represents.

Sen. Kevin Lundberg
Sen. Kevin Lundberg (credit: state.co.us)

Lundberg becomes the fourth Colorado lawmaker planning a congressional challenge.

Lundberg is not up for re-election in the state Senate until 2014, so he will remain in office if he fails to unseat Polis. The Republican says his challenge of Polis is "kind of like David versus Goliath."

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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