Mark Scheffel - Legislative Career - 2008 Election

2008 Election

After incumbent Senator Tom Wiens announced in April 2008 that he would not run for a second term, Scheffel announced his candidacy for the seat; he had briefly sought the seat in 2004 before Wiens declared his candidacy. Scheffel defeated three other contenders — Ed Brewer, Mark Vanderbilt, and Randy Reed — to take 65 percent of the vote at the Republican district assembly in May, the only candidate to qualify for the ballot by the assembly process. Financial advisor and Air Force veteran Bob Denny petitioned onto the Republican primary ballot. During the primary campaign, Scheffel touted his experience as a tax attorney and familiarity as an asset in the legislature, but was outraised by Denny, who took in about $24,000 to Scheffel's $18,000. Scheffel was also endorsed by retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo. Mark Scheffel ultimately defeated Bob Denney in the contested Republican primary in August, taking 65 percent of votes cast.

Scheffel faced Democrat Joe Alsup in the November 2008 general election. Alsup's candidacy was endorsed by the Denver Post, but Scheffel won with 68 percent of the popular vote.