swing seat

Rep. Coffman fends off primary challenge in Colorado’s swing 6th District

Apr 8, 2018

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Ernest Luning

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, an Aurora Republican, held off a challenge Saturday at the GOP’s 6th Congressional District assembly from Roger Edwards, a conservative activist who criticized the five-term incumbent’s moderate positions and attempts to distance himself from President Donald Trump. Coffman’s supporters, however, cheered their candidate, who has won an unbroken string of elections…
Trail Mix: The road to Colorado’s 2018 election, March 25 edition

Mar 25, 2018

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Ernest Luning

A majority runs through it … Before U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman dropped to the floor at an Aurora restaurant last Sunday for his birthday pushups – 63 of them, one for each of his years on this planet – his fellow Republican George Brauchler ribbed Coffman about his age and whether or not the Marines…
The return of Dr. Chaps? Gordon Klingenschmitt weighs run against Tony Exum

Jan 10, 2018

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Ernest Luning

Former state Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt, the Colorado Springs Republican and former Navy chaplain known as “Dr. Chaps,” said Tuesday night he’s forming an exploratory committee to weigh a bid against state Rep. Tony Exum, the Colorado Springs Democrat who holds one of the state’s swingiest of swing seats. Klingenschmitt told a group of Republican activists…
Adam Matkowsky exits Democratic primary, plans independent bid in battleground Senate District 24

Dec 19, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Adam Matkowsky is dropping out of the Democratic primary in Senate District 24 and plans to run for the battleground seat as an independent, the Thornton city councilman and Westminster police officer said Monday. “There comes a time when good people have to say enough with the current political system. The two parties care more about…
Gabby Giffords to Mike Coffman after concealed-carry vote: Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough

Dec 8, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Democrat Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman wounded in a mass shooting six years ago, called out U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman on Twitter after the Aurora Republican voted to make it easier for gun owners to carry concealed weapons across state lines without running afoul of conflicting state laws. Giffords, who has endorsed one of…
Centrist Project hopes to break statehouse gridlock by electing independent candidates

Nov 6, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Despite the fact that more Colorado voters are unaffiliated than belong to any one political party, the state has never elected an independent candidate to the Legislature – a 140-year streak a young organization called the Centrist Project aims to break in next year’s election. “Independents are a force to be reckoned with, but they’re…
Republicans Jerry Natividad, Mark Barrington weigh run against U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter

Sep 14, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Two Lakewood Republicans are considering whether to challenge U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s bid for a seventh term in the 7th Congressional District, Colorado Politics has learned. Jerry Natividad, who mounted a brief campaign last year for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Michael Bennet, and Mark Barrington, who has run for legislative and city…
Democrats Jessie Danielson, Monica Duran set sights on Jeffco statehouse seats

May 30, 2017

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Ernest Luning

House Speaker Pro Tem Jessie Danielson announced on Wednesday she’s running in next year’s election for the Senate District 20 seat held by term-limited state Sen. Cheri Jahn, a fellow Wheat Ridge Democrat, and Wheat Ridge City Councilwoman Monica Duran, also a Democrat, said on Friday she’s launching a bid for Danielson’s House District 24…
Contests for legislative leadership taking shape in tumultuous election year

Oct 27, 2016

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Ernest Luning

There’s more than one election looming within the next couple of weeks in Colorado. Two days after voters finish casting ballots on Nov. 8, state lawmakers – including what could be more than a dozen newly elected legislators – are scheduled to gather at the Capitol to elect leadership positions for the 71st General Assembly.…
Crowder, Casias vie for Senate District 35 targeted seat

Oct 6, 2016

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John Tomasic

They’re practical men from a politically moderate district. But the Senate seat they’re battling for is a top partisan prize. Larry Crowder and James Casias are locked in a tight contest for a Senate district seat that may determine the balance of power at the state Capitol. It’s a race charged with ideological power, even…