Kenny Nguyen will replace Senator William Lindstedt to represent House District 33 in the Colorado Legislature, a group of Democrats decided Monday.

Nguyen won on the second round of voting during a vacancy committee election. He received 16 votes, while Heidi Henkel received 15 votes. One person abstained from voting. Stan Jezierski was eliminated after the first round of voting.

Henkel and Nguyen are both running in the Democratic primary election for the seat later this year.

“This is an honor and a privilege,” Nguyen said after the selection. “I will represent Broomfield, Northglenn, Thornton — all of HD33 — with compassion, respect, love and humility.”

Lindstedt was tapped to replace former Senator Faith Winter in the Senate following Winter’s death late last year.

Nguyen was elected to the Broomfield City Council in 2023. He previously worked for Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera for about five years. He is the first Vietnamese American in the Colorado Legislature.

“We face an uncertain future right now, but I promise to be a leader that bridges the gap. We need more young people. We need more people of color,” he said ahead of the vote.

“I value effective government and practical solutions, so it is my mission as a state representative to give us all a fighting chance to succeed, regardless of our background,” he said.

Affordability and climate change are the top issues Coloradans face, he said.

Nguyen will join a 43-member Democratic majority in the House when the Legislature reconvenes for its 120-day lawmaking term on Wednesday.