Hickenlooper drops bid for presidency, eyes Senate

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Thursday that he ended his run for the 2020 presidential nomination and is giving “serious thought” to running for the U. S. Senate in his home state.

Hickenlooper had struggled to meet the donor and polling thresholds set by the Democratic National Committee to qualify for the debate in September in Houston and was unlikely to make the stage.

Democratic party leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, pushed for him to take a shot at unseating Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, one the GOP’s vulnerable incumbents up for reelection in 2020.

After months of resisting the Senate entreaties, Hickenlooper said he’s opening to the possibility.

“People want to know what comes next for me. I’ve heard from so many in Colorado who want me to run to the United States Senate,” Hickenlooper said in a video announcing the end of his presidential run. “They remind me how much is at stake for our country and our state. I intend to give that some serious thought. I’ve been a geologist, small businessman, mayor, governor, candidate for the president of the United States. At each step, I’ve always looked forward with hope, and I always will.”

As a presidential candidate, Hickenlooper staked his claim as one of the more moderate candidates.

California Democrats booed him in June when he told them “socialism is not the answer” at the Democratic Party State Convention.

Hickenlooper