DENVER – Colorado U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner offered Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio his support this week, making him the first sitting senator to endorse Rubio.
Gardner offered his support Monday on Fox News, stating that Rubio, a fellow senator representing Florida, offers “a new generation of leadership.”
The Yuma Republican – a young rising national political star himself – said he made the decision following last Wednesday’s GOP debate, when Rubio delivered a strong performance. Gardner told The Durango Herald at the debate – held at the University of Colorado Boulder – that he was waiting until after the event to make a decision on who to endorse.
“After the debate in Colorado, I thought Marco did an excellent job framing what I believe to be what Colorado and this country wants,” Gardner told Fox News. “Somebody they can be excited about. Somebody who is looking forward toward the future, not looking back at the past. Somebody who understands that we’re always looking at the next horizon and not trying to go backwards in policies that have failed.”
Gardner received national headlines for the endorsement, appearing on CNN Tuesday to further explain his decision.
“I think Marco Rubio represents the best opportunity for the future,” Gardner said.
At the very least, Rubio could represent the GOP’s best opportunity to defeat Democrats in the general election, assuming he survives a primary, the senator said.
Rubio came out of last week’s debate unscathed, successfully defending against an attempt by opponent Jeb Bush to attack Rubio’s congressional attendance record. Bush’s jab fell flat.
Rubio – a Cuban American native of Miami – also proves to be one of the GOP’s best chances at attracting Latino voters.
Gardner’s endorsement could prove important in Colorado, where Republicans last year largely coalesced around him in an effort to unify the party. He went on to defeat incumbent Democrat Mark Udall, energizing Republicans across the nation.
Colorado Democrats countered that Gardner will struggle to “name a single legislative accomplishment to justify his endorsement of fellow Tea Party Sen. Marco Rubio.”
Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Rick Palacio added: “Sen. Gardner’s endorsement of his accomplishment-challenged colleague Marco Rubio for president is a perfect display of bad judgment.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
