Colorado Politics: Dems Circle Overhead, Eyeing Colorado’s Cory Gardner as Their Prey

The D.C. Democratic political establishment believes Cory Gardner’s senate seat is winnable and the race is on. Election 2020 is expected, at least in Colorado, to look a lot like 2018 – high turnout, many young, women and independents voting with Donald Trump on the ballot, no more popular than in 2018 to a substantial majority of Colorado voters. Democrats will also have the benefit of a newly installed majority controlling the governor’s mansion, both houses of the legislature and the constitutional offices, all pulling for the ticket.

Senator Cory Gardner | J. Scott Applewhite/AP

In a Colorado Politics article, I review the challenges facing Gardner with the caveat that he is the best statewide candidate Republicans have fielded since Bill Owens.

The outline of Senator Cory Gardner’s re-election contest has already taken shape. The key elements are near-constant speculation that he is the most endangered Republican up in 2020 in the U.S. Senate. A host of wannabe candidates promoting their own brands or causes have announced their intention to challenge Gardner, and top candidates are engaged in behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Gardner shares most vulnerable honors with Republican Susan Collins of Maine and Democrat Doug Jones of Alabama, depending on the analyst. A review of Colorado’s history of federal elections this century reinforces Republicans’ sense of anxiety and Democrats’ anticipation.