He is part of the fifth generation of Salazars to live and work in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. Their settlement in the area dates back to 1850, some two decades before Colorado became a state.

Salazar grew up with seven siblings on a rural farm that was so poor it didn't have electricity or phone service until the mid-1980s. Many, including Salazar, say it was on that farm he developed his work ethic, hand picking and learning English from his three older brothers.

"My parents were farmers -- poor but humble people, but with the strongest of America's values -- hard work, integrity and honesty, faith and love for America," Salazar said in his speech at the state Democratic convention. "Those values are my values. Those values are Colorado values."

Salazar, 49, is now in his second term as the state's attorney general, a position he won based in part on his hard-working reputation and his family background.

But his road from the San Luis Valley to Senate candidate has been a long one. He left the farm to attend Colorado College, paying his own way and earning a degree in political science in 1977. He then received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1981, using scholarships, work study and student loans to attend school.

After law school Salazar returned to Colorado and practiced water, environmental and public lands law for 11 years in the private sector.

In 1986 Salazar made his first foray into public service when he was recruited to work as chief legal counsel for then newly elected Democratic Gov. Roy Romer.

From this position, Salazar jumped to executive director of the state's Department of Natural Resources, where he served from 1990 to 1994.

Salazar won his race attorney general's office on Nov. 3 1998, becoming the first Hispanic elected to a statewide office in Colorado.

As attorney general Salazar caused controversy and earned respect.

Before he even entered office Salazar called for all 180 lawyers in the attorney general's office to resign -- a move that angered both parties. Even though only 11 attorneys were not rehired, many maintained Salazar fired valued and experienced lawyers.

During his six years as attorney general, Salazar championed a "do-not-call" telemarketing law and police training bills.

He also garnered public attention and praise for his response to the April 20, 1999 Columbine High School killings. Salazar pushed for anti-bullying clauses, safer schools, and the release of investigation documents. He also is calling for a grand jury probe into the mishandling of police reports about the killers.

"He's the only one, I think, in the political arena that has stuck by his word and has done everything he told us he would do, " said Joe Kechter, whose 16-year-old son was killed at Columbine, to the Rocky Mountain News.

Salazar holds a more moderate view on social issues than many national Democrats but says he remains loyal to party lines.

"I don't have any situations where I'll be breaking with the party, but I'm not going to be a rubber stamp for either party, and I'm not going to be a rubber stamp for the president, whether it is Kerry or Bush," Salazar said.

Salazar decided to run for U.S. Senate when incumbent, Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell dropped out of his reelection race because of health reasons.

Experts had predicted an easy reelection campaign for Campbell, but his decision to retire brought national attention to Colorado as both Democrats and Republicans scrambled to find their top candidates for a race that could help determine which party controls the Senate.

Salazar entered the primary in what the Democrats believed would be an easy sweep, but fellow Democrat and political rookie Mike Miles, a teacher, put him to the test when he narrowly defeated Salazar at the state convention, winning the top primary ballot slot.

Salazar came back in full force, however, defeating Miles with a resounding 73 percent of the vote in the Aug. 10, 2004 primary.

With his full attention on the Senate race, Salazar has focused on a race free of political attack advertisements and has called on his opponent, brewing magnate Pete Coors, to do the same.

He has emphasized the issues of terrorism and security, taxes, education and the economy. Salazar says that even though he believes the Iraq war was based on poor intelligence, the nation still needs to provide a sound reconstruction effort. He suggests a more international approach to Iraq.

But much of Salazar's campaign focus is on his compelling biography and family history. In all of his campaigns he has traveled the state in a green Ford pickup, often with his wife Hope and two teenage daughters by his side -- once again emphasizing his down-home, Colorado roots.

-- Compiled for the Online NewsHour by Deirdre Erin Murphy