During their first and last televised debate Tuesday night, Democrat U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and his Republican challenger, Republican Darryl Glenn, faced off over a variety of issues, but Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump came up as a cornerstone topic in the conversation.

For anyone awake during this election – no surprises.

Trying to distance himself from his party’s top ticket contender, Glenn said he has “absolutely” suspended his endorsement of Trump over Trump’s recently discovered, 11-year-old videotaped lewd remarks about women from 2005.

But Glenn also said during Tuesday’s debate with Bennet that he believes Trump has apologized for his remarks, which were captured in a 2005 recording.

And Glenn said he wants to meet Trump “to know what’s in his heart” before deciding whether to re-endorse the Republican presidential candidate, reiterating a statement Glenn made on his Facebook page hours earlier in which he said, “The words I heard Donald Trump say – in this decade old videotape – were disgusting and unacceptable. Like many, I was appalled at the language and the apparent disregard for women. What I heard was abhorrent.

“But the prospect of a Clinton presidency is also unacceptable … So I plan to meet with Donald Trump this week and give him the opportunity to share his heart and win back my vote. …”

Glenn has made several evolving statements of support – or lack thereof – of Trump over Trump’s comments on women.

Bennet responded to Glenn that he “didn’t hear an apology” from Trump during Trump’s presidential debate on Sunday against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The Bennet campaign pounced on Glenn following the debate in an emailed statement. “Tonight was Darryl Glenn’s last big opportunity to rescue his sinking campaign, but instead he spent virtually the entire debate on defense over his waffling on Donald Trump, stated refusal to work across the aisle and support for an unconstitutional ban on Muslims entering the U.S.” said Bennet campaign spokesperson Alyssa Roberts. “Michael Bennet clearly won tonight’s debate because unlike Darryl Glenn, he has a strong record of working with both parties to tackle the challenges facing our nation. Unfortunately for Darryl Glenn, his campaign’s out of gas and he’s running out of time.”

But Colorado state Republican Party chairman Steve House had a different take on the debate. “After Darryl Glenn’s dominating performance tonight, it is easy to see why Michael Bennet was so intent on avoiding debates,” said House in his own media release.

“Throughout the night Bennet flatly refused to answer simple questions and embarrassingly claimed he didn’t know what ‘open trade’ and ‘open borders’ meant.”

“Bennet even doubled down on his support for ObamaCare and the disastrous Iran Deal. Glenn offered a clear contrast to the Democrat policies that have burdened Coloradans and made America less safe.

“We deserve a Senator who isn’t afraid to tell the truth and answer tough questions, and Darryl Glenn proved he has the fortitude that Colorado needs in the U.S. Senate.”

Glenn lobbed further attacks at Bennet after the debate, honing in on the incumbent senator’s perceived weaknesses in key talking points selected months ago by the GOP. Glenn wrote in a statement, “We heard more of the same from Michael Bennet tonight: he doubled down on his support of both the Iran Nuclear Deal and Obamacare. Michael Bennet said tonight he doesn’t trust Iran and never did, and yet he still stood by his vote – saying that Israel is more secure with this deal. Nothing could be further from the truth: this deal jeopardizes the safety and security of our friend Israel.

“On Obamacare, he said he’s sorry when anyone’s health costs go up, but once again, he stood by his vote. What Michael Bennet doesn’t understand, is that his votes have devastating consequences for Colorado’s families – whether on Iran or Obamacare.”

Bennet and Glenn each immediately claimed they had won the debate following its conclusion Tuesday night.

Content prepared by the Associated Press contributed to this report.