Mark Hillman

Hillman announced his candidacy for the State Senate in late 1997. After winning, he became the senator from the state's largest legislative district, covering 12 counties and more than 21,000 square miles (54,000 km²). Hillman was elected to leadership posts for five of his seven years in the Senate, including both Majority Leader and Minority Leader.

Hillman's leadership earned him National Legislator of the Year honors from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), "Taxpayer Champion" from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, and numerous other awards in Colorado, including recognition from the Colorado Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Colorado Civil Justice League, and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.

Appointed as Colorado's State Treasurer in June 2005 by Governor Bill Owens, Hillman served as the state's chief financial officer and guardian of the taxpayer, ensuring that public funds entrusted to the state were managed safely and effectively in the best interests of Coloradans. As treasurer, Hillman's priorities included investing taxpayers dollars properly, improving the state's financial stability, and empowering Coloradans through financial independence.

At the Republican State Convention on May 31, 2008, former United States Senator William L. Armstrong nominated Hillman for Republican National Committeeman, calling him "one of the greatest legislators in the history of Colorado." Hillman won and replaced United States Senate candidate Bob Schaffer as one of Colorado's three Republican National Committeemen.