If there was a surprise in Tuesday’s election, it was that Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper survived a strong challenge by Bob Beauprez. Right up to Election Day, polls showed Beauprez leading.
Seeing a chance to claim a governor’s seat, the Republican Party hit Hickenlooper with all it had, including a claim that he was “threatening to set a mass murderer free.” In truth, the governor had granted Chuck E. Cheese killer Nathan Dunlap a temporary reprieve from the death penalty, an action far more about capital punishment than about Dunlap, who will spend his life in prison.
It is hard to know what swayed voters in Hickenlooper’s direction – analysts will parse that for months – but in the end, voters apparently could not stomach Beauprez’ extreme positions and hard-hitting campaign style, contrasting with Hickenlooper’s firm resolve to remain positive. The Republican wave was not strong enough in Colorado to lift Beauprez, who has had more than one chance to alienate voters.
The race should not have been as close as it was. Hickenlooper has been a moderate, pragmatic governor, which is exactly what Colorado needs. In supporting energy development and environmental controls, he offered something for everyone to dislike, but those were the right moves. The state’s economy is healthier than most others. Hickenlooper will understand the messages voters sent in this close call, and that shows he is the right governor for this time in history.
Sen. Mark Udall was not so fortunate. Swept into office in a year when voters across the country were disgusted with Republican actions, he was swept back out when voters grew disgusted that Democrats could not do any better. Udall always was more liberal than his state, and he let himself be too closely associated with the president at a time when that was not beneficial. He is also part of what voters consider a political dynasty. The people of Colorado should not forget his accomplishments, though, and Cory Gardner should remember that Coloradans do value environmental protection.
Gardner managed to distance himself from worrisome statements he had made in the past, and he convinced voters that he had their best interests in mind. Gardner presents himself as a nice, friendly guy whose libertarian bent will result in sensible government. But there is more to him than that, and voters, especially women, may regret believing that he has changed his spots. He was, however, a compelling candidate at the right time. We hope he, too, learns the lessons of his tight race because Colorado is still a purple state.
Congressman Scott Tipton had no trouble winning re-election against a weak opponent who nonetheless earned a strong third of the vote. There is a message in that for Tipton, who has not always represented his geographically vast and economically diverse district as well as he could. By adhering to the party line, he sometimes does not acknowledge that Southwest Colorado and Washington are very different from one another. He will be part of a strengthened coalition this year; let’s hope he uses that power wisely.
