Hal Bidlack was selected Saturday as the new chairman of the El Paso County Democratic Party.

The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel has a Ph.D. in political science and campaign experience. He ran unsuccessfully against Republican Doug Lamborn for a 5th Congressional District seat in 2008.

“What people see in him are his leadership qualifications and top-end management capabilities,” party spokesman Steve Kjonaas said.

Bidlack fills the post held by Jason DeGroot, who resigned last month. Bidlack’s post runs until August.

Harv Schaefer, left, and Ken Henault of the Springs Scrollers pose Monday, March 8, 2010 with some of the wooden cars they and other members of the club have made to give to troops to give out to kids in Iraq and Afghanistan. Schaefer said the club is making 200 of the cars a month to give away. He said the Pikes Peak Whittlers also donated 12,000 wheels for the project. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette