Colorado Politics

LIST | Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Senate candidates

Here are the seven* candidates still in the running, listed in the order they launched their campaigns:

     

LORENA GARCIA

State Rep. Lorena Garcia campaigns for the Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Senate nomination on Oct. 5, 2019, in Denver.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics)

Declared candidacy: November 9, 2018

Total funds raised: $53,643

Cash on hand: $4,531

Residence: Denver

Background: Executive director of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, executive director of nonprofit Namlo International, former executive director of the Colorado Organization For Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, former state director of 9to5 and the National Association for Working Women.

Quote: “We need a fighter, because without a fighter, we have nothing but the status quo.”


TRISH ZORNIO

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Trish Zornio speaks at a forum sponsored by the Denver Democrats on Oct. 5, 2019, in Denver.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics)

Declared candidacy: Jan. 19, 2019

Total funds raised: $89,801

Cash on hand: $23,357

Residence: Superior

Background: Biomedical researcher and educator with experience working at the University of Colorado Denver, the University of Colorado Boulder, Denver Health and the Stanford University School of Medicine. Founded community music program CoMusica.

Quote: “There are zero scientists on the current United States Senate science committee.”


ANDREW ROMANOFF

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff, a former speaker of the Colorado House, visits after a forum sponsored by the Denver Democrats on Nov. 9, 2019, in Denver.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics)

Declared candidacy: Feb. 14, 2019

Total funds raised: $1,436,868

Cash on hand: $724,597

Residence: Denver

Background: Served eight years in the state House of Representatives, including two terms as House speaker. Ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in a 2010 primary and against U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman the 2016 general election. Served for four years as president of Mental Health Colorado.

Quote: “We’re running out of time to rescue our planet, repair our democracy and restore the American Dream.”


STEPHANY ROSE SPAULDING 

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Stephany Rose Spaulding visits after a forum sponsored by the Denver Democrats on Nov. 9, 2019, in Denver.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics)

Declared candidacy: April 1, 2019

Total funds raised: $139,423

Cash on hand: $10,638

Residence: Colorado Springs

Background: The American Baptist pastor and women’s and ethnic studies professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs was the 2016 Democratic nominee in the 5th Congressional District.

Quote: “I pray that we are listening deeply, because we are in a crisis, and there is much work to do.”


DIANA BRAY

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Diana Bray visits after a forum sponsored by the Denver Democrats on Oct. 5, 2019, in Denver.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics)

Declared candidacy: April 2, 2019

Total funds raised: $76,128

Cash on hand: $16,429

Residence: Englewood

Background: Clinical psychologist and climate activist

Quote: “In a fight between (fossil fuel) industry executives and elementary school children, I know which side I’m choosing.”


MICHELLE FERRIGNO WARREN

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Michelle Ferrigno Warren speaks at a forum sponsored by the Denver Democrats on Oct. 5, 2019, in Denver.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics)

Declared candidacy: Aug. 1, 2019

Total funds raised: $40,839

Cash on hand: $22,718

Residence: Denver

Background: Co-founded Denver’s Open Door Ministries; regional consultant for the National Immigration Forum’s Bibles, Badges & Business campaign; strategic engagement director for the Christian Community Development Association

Quote: “It’s time for leadership that believes in unity, equity and will fight for opportunities for all of us.”


JOHN HICKENLOOPER

U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper, a former two-term Colorado governor, speaks with Denver Democrats after a forum in Denver on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, that featured the eight candidates seeking the nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner in 2020.
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics

Declared candidacy: Aug. 22, 2019

Total funds raised: $2,132,427

Cash on hand: $1,669,968

Residence: Denver

Background: Helped launch the brewpub movement in Denver the 1980s after being laid off from his job as a petroleum geologist. Twice elected mayor of Denver and twice elected governor of Colorado. Sought Democratic presidential nomination this year but withdrew in August after failing to catch fire.

Quote: “Let’s bring dignity and common sense and common decency back to the U.S. Senate.”

Note: Fundraising totals are according to Federal Election Commission filings through Sept. 30, 2019, the end of the 3rd Quarter.

*Candidate Christopher Hawkins Milton of Alma filed paperwork with the FEC and reportedly loaned his campaign $4,000 in September, but state Democratic officials say he hasn’t yet done anything to campaign for the nomination.

Then-Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angela Williams, a state senator, visits with fellow candidate Trish Zornio as Andrew Romanoff, right, another candidate, looks on after a forum sponsored by the Denver Democrats on Oct. 5, 2019, in Denver.
Photo by Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics
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