Gubernatorial candidates: We won’t run negative ads

A political science professor said Wednesday he doubts two candidates running for governor will stay true to their word and stop running negative ads.

The Denver Post hosted the debate between Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and Republican challenger former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez Tuesday.

Hickenlooper was asked by a moderator from the Denver Post about his opinion on negative ads running by his support groups, despite Hickenlooper’s stance to not run negative ads. Hickenlooper said there should be no negative ads and then asked Beauprez to agree to stop running negative ads for the remainder of the race. The two men shook hands on it.

Professor Josh Dunn has doubts the men will stay true to that pledge.

“They can say it but it’s not going to go away,” said Dunn. “You’re in a tight race, it would be a mistake to not run negative ads.”

Dunn said negative ads work.

“The reason people run them is not because it increases support for them as a candidate, but it keeps your opponent’s supporters at home. And the way to win an election is get get more votes than your opponents and if your opponent’s supports stay at home, you’re likely to win,” said Dunn.

It’s a tight race in the contest for both the governor’s seat and for Colorado’s U.S. State Senate. Democratic incumbent Mark Udall and Republican challenger Cory Gardner are going head-to-head on TV screens criticizing each other.

Dunn said voters see more political ads in Colorado than other states due to the nature of politics in the state.

TV viewers have mixed reaction to what advertisements they prefer.

“There is no escaping it, in Colorado we can’t avoid it. You might not like politics but politics likes you,” said Dunn.

“Positive ones, I think negative ones just turn everybody off,” said Kitty Pollock.

“For immediate reaction, negative ones are best,” said John Morris.

There is a little more than a month until Election Day.