‘There’s always a path forward’
The immediate future of Colorado will be more unchecked Democratic control, Republican Party Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown announced Tuesday as election returns filtered in at her party’s Election Night watch headquarters.
But, brighter days can be ahead, she said.
“We did have a plan to make Colorado more affordable,” Burton Brown said. “Our would have prioritized public safety. We would have put parents and kids first in education.”
Democrats retained the U.S. Senate seat, appear as if they could hold a 6-2 advantage among the Colorado delegation in the U.S. House and retained every constitutional executive seat on the state ballot.
Republicans were right on the issues, said U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-windsor.
“Every problem President Biden created was an issue which favored Republicans,” he said. “We should have done better around the country. Our brand is not as strong as it should be.”
The reason, he says, is former President Donald Trump when it comes to winning a statewide race in Colorado.
“That is the elephant in the room. The Trump factor. He is unpopular in many areas of Colorado,” Buck said. “I believe the Republican brand was impacted by President Trump.”
Republican governor candidate Heidi Ganahl, who believed her campaign had made strides in suburban Blue-leaning communities, lost to Democrat Gov. Jared Polis by 17.2% statewide. It was about three times the spread to which her internal polling had indicated the race had tightened, and she indicated it was closing daily. Republican Secretary of State candidate Pam Anderson, who had earned an endorsement from the Denver Post over incumbent Democrat Jena Griswold, lost by 10.7%. And so returns went in races Republicans believed they had a chance to win.
The candidates all ran on a 10-point Commitment to Colorado platform the Colorado Republican Party believed would have made positive changes for all Coloradans.
“We will find a path to still do that in Colorado,” Burton Brown said. “Hope is something that is never lost. There’s always a path forward and we will find it.”
Voters statewide should have taken a closer look at Republican candidates, Buck said.
“I feel Heidi and Joe were better candidates than the numbers reflected,” he said.