It's official:

Aurora, CO - October 15, 2009 - In an address to his supporters today at a family-owned business in Adams County, Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier officially announced his candidacy for the Unites States House of Representatives in Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. 
 
Frazier’s message is one of a new way forward with solutions grounded in the principles of fiscal responsibility and limited federal government.  Frazier cites his desire to build a better, more prosperous future for the people of Colorado as his motivation for running for Congress.  He sees the struggling economy, the need for a comprehensive policy that will lead to energy independence, and the fiscally irresponsible policies of the current Congress as the problems most affecting the people of Colorado. 

"I stepped forward in this election because I feel so strongly about the opportunity we have as a country to be better, safer, and economically stronger. We owe our children that much. The dangerous course that the Democrat-controlled Congress has forced us to tread, greatly concerns me. There is too much at stake: people's livelihoods and our children's future. It’s time to re-energize the people's House with new leadership and better solutions. The 7th Congressional District represents the right path, right now to do my part in helping make America better. The people here deserve a better choice,” Frazier stated.

The clearest loser in this move is Ed Perlmutter. Perlmutter has had an easy time in both of his campaign thus far; winning in 2006 in one of the worst years for Republicans while Beauprez was busy tanking at the top of the ticket, and in 2008 against a Republican so low-profile that his campaign was using "John Who? Joh LeRew!" as a campaign slogan. Perlmutter hasn't had a difficult fight yet and Frazier can provide that.

The Senate primary now becomes a two-way race and Frazier's departure will benefit Ken Buck in one key area. Part of the problem that Buck and Frazier had raising money against Norton was that national conservative groups were not sure who to support between the two of them. Now that Buck is the clear alternative to Norton, organizations such as the Club for Growth are now much more likely to intervene and breathe life into Buck's campaign.