Dwayne Romero, a businessman from Aspen and military veteran, announced on Tuesday, March 3, his candidacy to represent the Third Congressional District in Congress. His campaign sets up a June 30 primary race against Alex Kelloff to be the Democratic nominee in the campaign to unseat Rep. Jeff Hurd, the Republican who currently holds the seat.
Romero said his campaign will be focused on Hurd’s “underperformance” as a freshman congressman representing Colorado’s Third District, which includes the San Luis Valley and stretches from Pueblo to Grand Junction. Romero said he is “prepared to run an aggressive campaign that highlights how Hurd has let the district down.”
Romero has been active in Aspen, having served on its city council and school board, among other boards and civic clubs. He is the CEO of The Romero Group, a property and construction management company which he said employs 120.
The son of a single mom, Romero graduated from West Point in 1987, served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat engineer and earned the Bronze Star for Leadership Valor in Combat.
“I know what it means to come from nothing and give your life in service to your country and community. That’s why I can’t stand by as Washington politicians threaten our freedoms and make life more expensive for Coloradans,” Romero said.
Romero and his wife, Margaret, moved to Colorado following his military service, and spent six years in Carbondale before moving to Aspen in 2003. The couple has three daughters.