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Analysis: Are Republicans doomed in Colorado Senate race?

Democrats cheer victory of conservative Darryl Glenn
Glenn

DENVER – The left is rejoicing, suggesting that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn may be the best thing to happen to them this year in Colorado.

With his impressive showing Tuesday night – 38 percent of the vote in a five-man primary – Glenn solidified his spot as the GOP’s candidate to take on incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet this November.

But as an “unapologetic Christian constitutional conservative,” Glenn will have his work cut out for him convincing unaffiliated and moderate voters in a purple swing state.

Glenn’s not worried. He plans to focus on national security, energy independence and fiscal responsibility.

“When you think about those three overarching issues, those aren’t partisan issues; those are responsible issues that Coloradans can get behind,” Glenn said.

The El Paso County commissioner is good at connecting with voters. It was his compelling convention speech in April that propelled him to victory as an underdog, blowing past every other candidate seeking to caucus onto the ballot.

Glenn brought his race into the equation, and told a mostly white audience of GOP delegates in Colorado Springs, “All lives matter.”

The question, however, is how much support Glenn will receive nationally.

Establishment GOP groups have been hesitant to throw their support behind Glenn, despite Colorado having once been the Republican Party’s best chance to oust a Senate Democrat.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which works to elect Republicans to the U.S. Senate, has been quiet about Glenn, though they have attacked Bennet repeatedly.

Glenn received support from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin – both conservative stalwarts – as well as the powerful Senate Conservatives Fund.

But will establishment national Republicans show up for Glenn this year? Will money enter the race to keep him afloat against Bennet’s impressive war chest, including $7.6 million in individual contributions and more than $5.7 million in the bank?

Glenn has taken in only $130,632 in individual donations and has just over $50,000 in the bank. His campaign has been fueled by volunteer grass-roots support, which contributed somewhat to his appeal. But it might take more than momentum to defeat Bennet.

“From Ted Cruz to Donald Trump and now Darryl Glenn, Colorado Republicans appear determined to make the worst possible choices in 2016,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Ian Silverii.

“The far right in Colorado once again picked a candidate who can’t win. While Democrats are rightfully cheering this outcome, the real losers are reasonable Colorado conservatives who have no one left to support in either the presidential or the U.S. Senate race.”

ProgressNow and Democrats lobbed plenty of attacks during the primary. But most were directed at Jon Keyser, who was once considered a young rising star in the GOP and perhaps the party’s best chance to defeat Bennet. Keyser came in fourth with 13 percent of the vote.

Jack Graham – a moderate Republican who was skeptical of Trump and supported abortion and gay rights – was also considered a threat to Bennet. But Democrats never expressed much fear, as they felt he would not survive the primary. Graham came in second with 25 percent of the vote.

“Even before the primary last night, observers were noting that Michael Bennet had won the Republican primary,” said Chris Meagher, spokesman for the Colorado Democratic Party. “After Glenn’s runaway victory, it’s clear once again that Glenn’s extreme and out-of-touch positions are going to pose big problems with voters in Colorado.”

For his part, Glenn says he fully expects some high-profile support.

“It already is a national race,” Glenn said. “They’re talking about this campaign. Things are buzzing out there in D.C. People are excited.”

Steve House, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, said ultimately Colorado voters will recognize that Bennet is out of touch with their needs.

“We are glad extremist liberals are celebrating the results of our U.S. Senate primary. As a humble and principled grass-roots conservative, Darryl Glenn is the perfect candidate to defeat an out-of-touch D.C. liberal like Michael Bennet, who is much more comfortable at a cocktail party in Georgetown than spending time with constituents on the Western Slope.”

pmarcus@durangoherald.com



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