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The campaign trail for a long-time Democratic state legislator ran through Northwest Colorado this week as he attempted to garner support for his run for Secretary of State's Office.

In the last few days, Ken Gordon, D-Den--ver, made pit stops Krem----mling, Steamboat Springs, Meeker and Craig. He was scheduled to arrive in Rifle today.

Gordon, who visited with the Moffat County Clerk and Recorder's Office on Monday, said his top priorities for the Secretary of State's Office would be ensuring fair elections and installing new and innovative programs to inspire more youths to vote.

"The secretary of state is involved in every decision that affects elections," Gordon said Monday. "Whatever issue you care about, you need to have fair elections. It all depends on fair elections."

Gordon, who has been a state legislator for 14 years, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1992. He served for eight years, including as minority leader. He was elected to the Senate in 2000 and has served as majority leader for the past two years.

Gordon is running against state Treasurer Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, in the November general election. Rick VanWie, a paralegal and Green Party candidate, withdrew from the race in September, and Secretary of State Gigi Dennis chose not to run for the office. Her term expires in January.

Gordon said he would bring fairness back to the Secretary of State's Office -- a quality he says has, at times, been missing in the current administration -- should voters elect him next month.

"This job needs to be done by someone who's going to be fair to all parties," he said. "I don't feel I put my finger on one side of the scale or the other."