Colorado Voters Say Control of Senate and Donald Trump Key Issues in 2022 Senate Decision

John Hickenlooper’s 10 point win over incumbent Cory Gardner was largely a product of it being a strong Democratic year in Colorado, with Republican President Trump losing by 14 points and Democratic dominance of the congressional and State House delegate not changing. In a recent Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research poll, three of the major possible influences of the 2020 election were queried as to their importance, and the debates rated last, the control of the U.S. Senate first and the influence of Donald Trump second (see the questions below).

Colorado Voter Survey

The methodology and questions in the Colorado voter survey:

An online survey was conducted by the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research from mid-October to mid-November 2020 during the presidential campaign. The survey was fielded by YouGov with 960 online participants. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points. The following are the questions included about the U.S. Senate election.

Colorado Voter Survey Questions

Question: The debates in Colorado between Cory Gardner and John Hickenlooper, how important were the debates in your vote? 

Question: Thinking about your vote for U.S. Senate between Republican Cory Gardner and Democrat John Hickenlooper, how important a consideration was control of the U.S. Senate? If Cory Gardner wins reelection to this senate seat, Republicans could keep the majority control of the Senate with Mitch McConnell as Majority Leader, or if Gardner loses, it puts the Democrats in control of the Senate and McConnell out. Was control of the Senate very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important?

Question: Again, thinking about your vote for the U.S. Senate between Republican Cory Gardner and Democrat John Hickenlooper, how important was your approval or disapproval of President Donald Trump in your decision?