Hugh McKean, Colorado's House Minority Leader, dead at 55

[soldierant]

Source: Colorado Public Radio

Hugh McKean, Colorado’s Republican House Minority Leader, died Sunday morning at the age of 55.

The Republican from Larimer County leaves behind two children, Aiden and Hanna McKean, and his partner, Amy Parks.

McKean’s cause of death has not yet been determined, however state Republicans described his passing as “sudden and tragic.” A public funeral is being planned and details will be released when finalized.

McKean was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2016. He was elected state House minority leader in November 2020. Before his death, McKean was running for reelection to represent District 51.

Read more: https://www.cpr.org/2022/10/30/hugh-mckean-colorados-house-minority-leader-dead-at-55/

---

My first thought was "nine days before the election ... cue conspiracy theories in 3... 2... 1... An d that may well happen, But reading the full article, he may have been appreciated more by Democrats than by his own party. This is sad news.

[LiberalFighter]

1. Seems fishy that he became minority leader after only 4 years in office.

[jimfields33]

2. Probably not that many Republicans in Colorado government.

[soldierant]

5. They are down at the moment,

but we still have a plethora of talibangelical church organizations, especially in Colorado Springs, so that can never be counted on.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Rishi Sunak has just become British PM after 7 years as an MP

Sometimes, parties don't have a lot of quality reps in them, or those they had for some time get worn down by newer assholes. If he was OK (as the OP says, the Dems in the article seem to say he was), it could be that GOP factions found him a uniting point. I don't think is can be "fishy" without more detail.

[soldierant]

4. You must live in a state

where state legislators are not term limited. 4 years was half way to his limit. Had he livedm this would have been his last term.

Four years to leader is just what I would expect. But even two years might not be fishy - in the circumstances.

[FakeNoose]

6. The Denver Post makes it sound like he had a heart attack (but no announcement yet)

(link) https://www.denverpost.com/2022/10/30/hugh-mckean-colorado-house-dies/

"Hugh McKean, Colorado House minority leader, dies Sunday
House Republicans say Loveland lawmaker’s death was sudden, he had complained of pain on left side of body"

[soldierant]

9. An update this morning

that it was a heart attack.

[Shellback Squid]

8. RIP