Bruce announced in November 2007 that he would stand in the 2008 general election for the House District 15 seat.
He faced a challenge for the Republican nomination from attorney and Iraq War veteran Mark Waller.
Bruce funded his own campaign with over $30,000 of personal funds, refusing to accept private campaign donations; Waller, however, received endorsements or contributions from at least five sitting state representatives, and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers.
Waller received 57% of the vote at the Republican assembly in March, claiming the top line on the August Republican primary ballot; he did not differ publicly with Bruce on political positions, but argued that Bruce's temperament caused him to be an ineffective legislator.

Both Bruce and Waller accused each other of inappropriate conduct while campaigning; Bruce was accused of inappropriately distributing campaign flyers to  Republican representatives on the House floor, of mailing flyers promoting his charity shortly before the primary, and of inappropriately listing endorsements on his web site.
In turn, Bruce filed several campaign finance complaints against Waller, one of which resulted in Waller's campaign being fined for failing to properly disclose a campaign contribution.
Ultimately, Bruce was defeated for the Republican nomination in the August 12 party primary, taking 48 percent of the vote to Waller's 52 percent.
Bruce announced in November 2007 that he would stand in the 2008 general election for the House District 15 seat. He faced a challenge for the Republican nomination from attorney and Iraq War veteran Mark Waller. Bruce funded his own campaign with over $30,000 of personal funds, refusing to accept private campaign donations; Waller, however, received endorsements or contributions from at least five sitting state representatives, and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. Waller received 57% of the vote at the Republican assembly in March, claiming the top line on the August Republican primary ballot; he did not differ publicly with Bruce on political positions, but argued that Bruce's temperament caused him to be an ineffective legislator.
Both Bruce and Waller accused each other of inappropriate conduct while campaigning; Bruce was accused of inappropriately distributing campaign flyers to  Republican representatives on the House floor, of mailing flyers promoting his charity shortly before the primary, and of inappropriately listing endorsements on his web site. In turn, Bruce filed several campaign finance complaints against Waller, one of which resulted in Waller's campaign being fined for failing to properly disclose a campaign contribution. Ultimately, Bruce was defeated for the Republican nomination in the August 12 party primary, taking 48 percent of the vote to Waller's 52 percent.
Douglas Bruce