As a consequence of last week's election – a consequence that I'm sure most voters didn't anticipate – right-wing loon and ineffective Republican Representative Kevin Lundberg could assume a more prestigious position in state government than just serving out his last two years in the Colorado House.

Here's what's up: Republican Steve Johnson won election to the Larimer County Board of Commissioners and will resign his seat in the Colorado Senate. Lundberg could be appointed to serve out Johnson's term.

A Coloradoan editorial this morning states the obvious. Lundberg is unfit to assume Johnson's seat. The editorial urges the Republican Party to replace Johnson with someone who Northern Colorado voters won't reject at their first opportunity in the 2010 election... Although, now that I think about it, maybe Northern Colorado would benefit from less Republican representation in state government. For example, who's more likely to do the right thing for Fort Collins, Bellvue, Laporte, Livermore, Waverly and Wellington by advocating for water conservation rather than the construction of Glade Reservoir? A Republican or a Democrat?

Lundberg in the Senate is looking better to me all the time.

Lundberg Won't Help GOP Position: Republicans Need to Appoint Moderate, Realistic Voice
The Larimer County Republican Party has a choice: either appoint someone to fill Steve Johnson's seat in the state Senate that will be an effective representative who will work across the aisle or risk losing the seat altogether by choosing a right-wing extremist.

Johnson, who holds the Senate District 15 seat, was elected last week to be the next Larimer County commissioner. He intends to hold onto his Senate seat until the end of this year. Upon his resignation, the county GOP will have 10 days to name a replacement to serve until the end of Johnson's term in 2010.

Senate District 15 essentially covers much of Larimer County with the exception of Fort Collins. It is a diverse area that includes Windsor, Loveland, Estes Park and Berthoud.

Already, some talk has emerged that the county party would select Rep. Kevin Lundberg to the seat; Lundberg was just re-elected to state House District 49, which covers much of the same area as Senate District 15, except Loveland.

Such an appointment would be a mistake. Lundberg is an extremist who has little to show for his work in the state House beyond making headlines for his extreme conservative social views, including prohibiting domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples and for being the only nay vote in censuring Rep. Douglas Bruce for his outrageous behavior. While his social views may well reflect some of House District 49, his work as a legislator has not been significant in resolving issues such as transportation funding, health-care reform and ongoing budget challenges.

Johnson has been a moderate, realistic voice in the state Senate. He is well respected by Republicans and Democrats for his fiscally conservative values and is a strong voice in questioning the role of government. The next senator should be an equally strong conservative who will not be dismissed in an Assembly controlled by Democrats.

The county GOP has the right to choose Johnson's replacement, of course. But this term will last two years, and if Lundberg is the wrong choice, the party risks losing its hold on what has been a traditional Republican seat. More importantly, Senate District 15 risks losing effective, meaningful representation.