Colorado Senate candidates make final pitches before the 2020 election
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- It's one of the most contested races in Colorado's 2020 election. Incumbent U.S. Senator Cory Garder is hoping to retain his seat against former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.
On Wednesday KRDO heard from both candidates heading into the final few days before the election about why they should be elected.
Senator Cory Gardner
With less than a week before the most challenging election of his political career, Senator Cory Gardner spoke with veteran care professionals about establishing a VA hospital in Colorado Springs.
"Elections don't stop the work that needs to be done for Colorado," Gardner says.
However, that doesn't mean the election is far off from his mind. Gardner is considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country but he still feels confident he will retain his senate seat.
"I feel great," Gardner said. "People need to get their votes in. I'd be honored if they would vote for me, for Cory Gardner, because of the work we have done and the continued work that we will do for this great nation and this great state."
If re-elected, Gardner says he will focus on the economy and the battle against COVID-19, two big concerns he says Coloradans have.
"My plan is about creating more jobs, about helping families get back on their feet getting through this pandemic together, keeping businesses open," Gardner said.
In a state that has turned blue since the 2018 election, Gardner is reaching out harder than ever to his conservative base saying he's the best candidate to represent them.
As for what separates him from his opponent, former Governor John Hickenlooper, he says it comes down to their view on government and the role it plays for the people.
"This really is a defining moment for our nation, whether or not we are going to have a future where government is even more aggressive in our lives or whether we get back to letting families and our communities run our own lives and our own businesses and create more opportunities," Gardner said.
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper
Gardner's Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper held virtual campaign events on Wednesday, pushing for continued high voter turnout in the last six days leading up to the election.
“We can do this," Hickenlooper said. "It’s so close I can taste it in my mouth. And I want to make sure that we all leave it all on the field.”
Former presidential candidate and entrepreneur Andrew Yang joined Hickenlooper on one of Wednesday's Zoom calls to talk about rebuilding the U.S. economy.
“We need to bring the country back from the edge," Yang said. "In terms of both the pandemic and the recession and job loss that have accompanied COVID-19. You can’t do one without the other.”
Hickenlooper said the economy needs to be rebuilt in a way that is equitable for everyone, including minorities. He also called on young voters to head to the polls.
“If we get young people to vote, we get people in positions who will actually do something, actually address climate change and tackle it head-on," he said.
A representative from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the largest federation of unions in the U.S., joined Hickenlooper on another call Wednesday.
"We know how much is on the line for working people this election," said Josette Jaramillo, the president of the federation. "Thank you for giving up part of your night tonight to help flip this Senate seat. We're really excited about it."
Hickenlooper is pushing for another stimulus package for Americans as soon as possible. He claims Senate Republicans, including Cory Gardner, have not been able to come to an agreement to pass more relief before the election.
"It is hard to describe how frustrating it is to look at the unwillingness of Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans to sit down and negotiate," Hickenlooper said. "Obviously we've got to get resources to working families. They've got to be able to pay their rent. They've got to be able to put food on the table."
