State Senator John Morse conceded defeat Tuesday night in Colorado's first-ever legislative recall after the state passed strict gun laws in reaction to mass shootings in Newtown, Conn., and Aurora. Morse will be replaced by Republican Bernie Herpin, a former Colorado Springs city councilman and the only other person on the ballot, who will serve the final year of the term.
"We as the Democratic party will continue to fight," Morse told supporters as he conceded Tuesday night.
Morse, a former police chief in a Colorado Springs suburb, was first elected to the Senate in 2006. He won re-election during a close race in the swing state in 2010.
In Morse's district, 51 percent voted to recall him. About 18,000 people voted, meaning Morse ultimately lost his job by 343 votes.
Senator Angela Giron also faced recall over her support of gun control legislation. Both legislators voted for 15-round limits on ammunition magazines and for expanded background checks on private gun sales. The legislation was signed into law by Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper.
After more than 34,000 votes in Pueblo were counted, the final results showed 56 percent supported the recall.
Giron told supporters she had "not one iota of regret for my vote (on gun laws)."
