Sen. Shawn Mitchell considers himself an ordinary citizen who is trying to make a difference in the world; however, as someone with such a strong history of political involvement, it seemed only natural that Mitchell would eventually end up serving in public office.
Mitchell, of Broomfield, has served as a Senior Fellow for the Independence Institute, a conservative think tank in Colorado. He also worked as a deputy for former Colorado Attorney General Gale Norton.

Mitchell was later elected to the Colorado State House in 1998, a seat that had been

held by a Democrat for eight years straight. He then moved onto the Senate in 2004, and is up for re-election this fall.
“I’m confident my record of practical conservatism and support of individual freedoms will appeal to the voters in my district,” Mitchell said on his chances of winning re-election.
The senator is quite well known for his love of floor debate. He noted that making a strong argument on the Senate floor is often the best way to alert fellow lawmakers to bad legislation.
“There is a presumption that every good or bad idea needs to become a law,” said Mitchell, who seems to never miss a chance to stage a battle on the most tedious legislation.
In recent weeks, Mitchell has established himself as a leader who is tough on crime.

Mitchell does his best to balance the demands of representing Colorado’s Senate District 23 with being an attorney and father of seven children. During the little free time he does have, the senator loves getting his hands dirty in the family garden and rock climbing with his children.
The most difficult part about being a senator, Mitchell said, is making time for being a practicing lawyer and taking care of personal responsibilities.
“Fortunately, my wife is an organized superwoman,” Mitchell said. “She and our children have qualities that compensate for their dad’s A.D.D.”