ICYMI: Mark Kennedy Voted In As CU System President

BOULDER, CO — Mark Kennedy has been voted in as the University of Colorado system's next president, according to reports. The former Republican congressman was approved with a 5-4 party-line vote at the Colorado Board of Regents..

Amid controversy over Kennedy's political background, Republican Regent John Carson of Highlands Ranch said the new president won't bring politics to the position. “He will be the president of CU, period. And I have great confidence he will check his personal political beliefs at the door," Carson said, according to the Denver Post.

In the early 2000s, Kennedy voted against reproductive and gay marriage rights, causing outrage among Democrats.

Republican Sue Sharkey, chair of the Board of Regents, defended the choice to nominate Kennedy in an interview with the Post. "This is all about where Mark stood 20 years ago on same-sex marriage," she said.

See more on Patch:

• Presidential Finalist Mark Kennedy Pens Open Letter To CU
• CU Regent Admits Rushed Vetting Of Presidential Finalist Pick

After Kennedy became the sole finalist for the position and Democrats spoke out against him, Republican Regent Chance Hill called them “a well-orchestrated Far Leftist mob” working to smear his name.

In April, Gov. Jared Polis tweeted about his distaste for the massive split on a decision "of this magnitude."