AURORA – Republican Rep. Mike Coffman of Aurora has won a fourth term in the U.S. House after a costly race in one of the nation’s most competitive congressional districts.
Coffman defeated Democrat Andrew Romanoff for the suburban Denver seat.
The national Democratic and Republican parties poured millions into the contest, one of the most expensive races in state history.
The 6th U.S. House District is divided almost evenly among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters.
Coffman was first elected in 2008, when the district was far more heavily Republican. The district was significantly redrawn after the 2010 U.S. Census, and Coffman tempered his positions on immigration and abortion rights.
Coffman, 59, also hunkered down and learned Spanish. He debated Romanoff in the first Spanish-language debate by non-Hispanic candidates in Colorado history.
During his victory speech, Coffman said in both English and Spanish that he learned the language “because for me, it is very important to be able to share my vision to create more jobs and more opportunities for everyone in Colorado.”
Coffman is the only member of Congress who served in the military during both Iraq Wars.
“This has been a very tough race, and I am a better candidate for it,” Coffman told supporters Tuesday night.
Coffman’s tone won over some voters of color in Colorado’s most diverse congressional seat.
“He’s very honest,” said 38-year-old Coffman supporter Jerome Scott, who is black. “I like him because he speaks the truth.”
Romanoff, who lost a Senate primary four years ago, pointed out in his concession speech that he raised more money than any congressional challenger in the nation this year.
“I don’t want you to draw the conclusion that you can’t run a race based on issues and ideas,” Romanoff told a crowd of glum supporters at an Aurora barbecue restaurant.
In other congressional races, incumbents were cruising to re-election, with the state poised to keep its U.S. House balance of four Republicans and three Democrats.
In the only open race, Republican Ken Buck of Weld County defeated Democrat Vic Meyers in the 4th Congressional District. That seat was vacated by Republican Cory Gardner, who defeated Democratic Sen. Mark Udall on Tuesday.
