COLORADO SPRINGS — In an historic recall election Tuesday, voters ousted state Senate President John Morse over his support of tougher gun laws passed earlier this year.
Morse thanked and urged fellow lawmakers to continue fighting Tuesday after results showed he lost the recall.
"It has been an honor to represent the 11th Senate District," said Morse, who is the first Colorado lawmaker to be recalled and thrown out of office. "It's been hugely rewarding."
With almost 100 percent of votes counted in the historic recall election of Morse, returns show 51 percent have voted "yes" and 49 percent "no."
Morse called the legislative session where he and Democratic colleagues passed stricter new gun laws a successful one.
"We as the Democratic Party will continue to fight," Morse said.
He added: "The highest rank in a democracy is citizen, not Senate President, so soon, along with many of you, I will hold that rank and there's nothing citizens can't accomplish when they put their minds to accomplishing it."
Hugs and tears were plentiful in the ballroom at his election night party Tuesday.
Republican Bernie Herpin, who won Tuesday night's recall election addressed a crowd of approximately 75 supporters in a cramped room in the back room of the El Paso GOP Headquarters.
