2004 United States Senate election in Colorado

Last updated

2004 United States Senate election in Colorado
Flag of Colorado.svg
←  1998 November 2, 2004 2010  →
  Kensalazar.jpg No image.svg
Nominee Ken Salazar Pete Coors
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote1,081,188980,668
Percentage51.30%46.53%
2004 United States Senate election in Colorado results map by county.svg
County results
Salazar:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Coors:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
U.S. senator before election

Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Ken Salazar
Democratic

The 2004 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 2004 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (first elected in 1992 as a Democrat and re-elected in 1998 as a Republican, having switched parties in 1995) retired instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Ken Salazar won the open seat, defeating Republican nominee Pete Coors despite Republican President George W. Bush carrying the state over John Kerry in the concurrent presidential race.

Contents

Background

On March 3, 2004, incumbent Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell announced that he would not seek reelection due to health concerns, having recently been treated for prostate cancer and heartburn. [1] Before Campbell's retirement, no prominent Democrat had entered the race, with educator Mike Miles and businessman Rutt Bridges pursuing the Democratic nomination. After Campbell's retirement, many expected popular Republican Governor Bill Owens to enter the race [2] , however he declined to run. Campbell's retirement and Owens' decision not to run prompted a number of prominent Democrats to reexamine the race. [3]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

On March 10, the same day Owens announced he would not run, U.S. Congressman Mark Udall entered the race [4] . The next day, state Attorney General Ken Salazar entered the race [5] , leading Udall to immediately withdraw and endorse him; Udall was eventually elected in 2008. [6] Salazar lost to Mike Miles at the State nominating convention. In spite of this loss, the national Democratic Party backed Salazar with contributions from the DSCC and promotion of Salazar as the only primary candidate. [7]

Results

Democratic primary results by county .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Salazar 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% >90% Miles 50-60% 60-70% 2004 United States Senate Democratic primary election in Colorado results map by county.svg
Democratic primary results by county
  Salazar
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   >90%
  Miles
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Democratic Primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ken Salazar 173,167 73.02%
Democratic Mike Miles63,97326.98%
Total votes237,140 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

The two candidates got into an ideological battle, as Schaffer attacked Coors because his company had provided benefits to the partners of its gay and lesbian employees, in addition to promoting its beer in gay bars. Coors defended himself by saying that he was opposed to same-sex marriage and supported a constitutional amendment to ban it, although he noted that he supported civil unions for gay couples. According to the Rocky Mountain News, Coors described his company's pro-LGBT practices as "good business, separate from politics." [9]

Results

Republican primary results by county Coors 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Schaffer 50-60% 60-70% 2004 United States Senate Republican primary election in Colorado results map by county.svg
Republican primary results by county
  Coors
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Schaffer
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%

Coors defeated Schaffer with 61% of the vote in the primary, with many analysts citing his high name recognition in the state as a primary factor. [10] [11]

Republican Primary results [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Pete Coors 203,157 60.57%
Republican Bob Schaffer132,27439.43%
Total votes335,431 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Major

Minor

  • Douglas Campbell (C)
  • Victor Good (Re)
  • Finn Gotaas (I)
  • John Harris (I)
  • Richard Randall (L)

Campaign

Pete Coors, Chairman of Coors Brewing Company, ran as a moderate conservative. However, Salazar was also a moderate and a highly popular State Attorney General. [13] Coors is also a great-grandson of Adolph Coors, founder of the brewing company. His father is Joseph Coors, president of the company and a founding member of The Heritage Foundation. Salazar narrowly won the open seat. It was one of only two Democratic pickups in the 2004 Senate elections (Illinois was the other).

Debates

Finances

According to OpenSecrets, Coors gave his own campaign $1,213,657 and received individual donations of $60,550 from other Coors family members[ citation needed ].

A state record total of over $11 million was raised during the election. [14]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [15] Lean D (flip)November 1, 2004

Polling

Poll Source [16] Date(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
Error		Pete
Coors (R)		Ken
Salazar (D)		Unde-
cided
Survey USA August 14618± 4.0%48%47%5%
Rasmussen Reports August 19500± 4.5%45%49%4%
Tarrance Group (R)August 24600± 4.0%43%47%10%
RMN/News 4Sep 14500± 4.3%42%53%4%
Tarrance Group (R)Sep 14-± 4.5%44%46%-
Rasmussen Reports Sep 16500± 4.3%49%48%1%
Ciruli AssocSep 14600± 4.0%45%46%9%
Survey USA Sep 24625± 4.0%51%46%-
Gallup/CNN/USA Today October 3667± 5.0%43%54%3%
Mason-DixonOctober 4630± 5.0%44%46%9%
Survey USA October 5594± 4.1%48%48%1%
Rocky Mountain News October 13400± 4.9%45%40%6%
Gallup/CNN/USA Today October 14666± 4.0%48%49%3%
Rasmussen Reports October 18500± 4.5%49%48%1%
Ciruli AssocOctober 19600± 4.0%43%47%10%
Survey USA October 20596± 4.1%50%46%1%
Mason-DixonOctober 25625± 4.8%46%46%7%
Rocky Mountain NewsOctober 27500± 4.3%42%48%4%
Zogby October 28600± 4.1%46%52%4%
Survey USA October 30705± 3.8%47%51%3%

Results

General election results [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Ken Salazar 1,081,188 51.30% +16.29%
Republican Pete Coors 980,66846.53%-15.96%
Constitution Douglas Campbell18,7830.89%+0.15%
Libertarian Richard Randall10,1600.48%
Independent John R. Harris8,4420.40%
Reform Victor Good6,4810.31%
Independent Finn Gotaas1,7500.08%
Majority100,5204.77%-22.70%
Turnout 2,107,472
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coors Brewing Company</span> American brewery and beer company

The Coors Brewing Company is an American brewery and beer company based in Golden, Colorado that was founded in 1873. In 2005, Adolph Coors Company, the holding company that owned Coors Brewing, merged with Molson, Inc. to become Molson Coors. The first Coors brewery location in Golden, Colorado is the largest single brewing facility operating in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Nighthorse Campbell</span> American politician, athlete and rancher (born 1933)

Ben Nighthorse Campbell is an American Cheyenne politician who represented Colorado's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993 and was a United States Senator from Colorado from 1993 to 2005. He serves as one of 44 members of the Council of Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe. During his time in office, he was the only Native American serving in Congress. He was the last Native American elected to the U.S. Senate until the 2022 election of Cherokee Markwayne Mullin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Owens (Colorado politician)</span> 40th Governor of Colorado

William Forrester Owens is an American former politician who served as the 40th Governor of Colorado, from 1999 to 2007. A member of the Republican Party, he was re-elected in 2002, amassing 62.6% of the vote, the largest Republican share of the vote in state history. As of 2024, he is the last Republican to serve as Governor of Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2004 United States Senate elections were held on November 2, 2004, with all Class 3 Senate seats being contested. They coincided with the re-election of George W. Bush as president and the United States House elections, as well as many state and local elections. Senators who were elected in 1998, known as Senate Class 3, were seeking re-election or retiring in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Udall</span> American politician (born 1950)

Mark Emery Udall is an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 2009 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Colorado's 2nd congressional district. Prior to being elected to Congress, he represented parts of Boulder, Colorado in the Colorado House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Salazar</span> American politician and diplomat (born 1955)

Kenneth Lee Salazar is an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat who is the United States ambassador to Mexico. He previously served as the 50th United States Secretary of the Interior in the administration of President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously was a United States Senator from Colorado from 2005 to 2009. He and Mel Martínez (R-Florida) were the first Hispanic U.S. senators since 1977; they were joined by Bob Menendez in 2006. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, he served as Attorney General of Colorado from 1999 to 2005.

Peter Hanson Coors is an American businessman and politician. He formerly served as the chairman of the Molson Coors Brewing Company and chairman of MillerCoors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Schaffer</span> American politician (born 1962)

Robert Warren Schaffer is an American businessman and a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Colorado in the 105th Congress and the two succeeding Congresses. Schaffer was co-chairman of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, and an outspoken leader in promoting American interests and human rights in Eastern Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Wadhams</span>

Richard "Dick" Wadhams is an American Republican political consultant, known for his role in guiding John Thune to an upset victory over then-United States Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. He also worked for former Virginia senator George Allen, former Colorado Senator Wayne Allard, former Colorado governor Bill Owens and former Montana senator Conrad Burns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 2008 United States Senate election in Colorado was held November 4, 2008. The primary elections were held August 12, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Wayne Allard decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Mark Udall won the open seat, making this the first time a Democrat won this seat since 1972, and that Democrats held both Senate seats since 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico</span>

The 2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico was held on November 4, 2008 coinciding with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Pete Domenici decided to retire instead of seeking a seventh term. All three of New Mexico's U.S. Representatives retired from the House to run in this election, which was the first open Senate seat in the state since 1972 where Domenici was first elected on this seat. Pearce narrowly defeated Wilson in the Republican primary, but Udall won the general election after an uncontested Democratic primary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado</span>

The 2008 congressional elections in Colorado were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state of Colorado in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 2010 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 2010, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. In December 2008, President-elect Barack Obama nominated incumbent U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior. After Salazar resigned from his seat, Democratic governor Bill Ritter appointed Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill the seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 Colorado gubernatorial election</span>

The 1998 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to select the governor of the state of Colorado. Under newly applicable term limits, incumbent Governor Roy Romer, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election. Lieutenant Governor Gail Schoettler, ran to succeed Romer, and won the Democratic primary; her running mate, Bernie Buescher, won the lieutenant-gubernatorial primary unopposed. In the Republican primary, Bill Owens, the State Treasurer, and his eventual running mate, Joe Rogers, won their respective primaries by wide margins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 1998 United States Senate election in Colorado was held November 3, 1998, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell won re-election to a second term by a landslide. This was Campbell's first election as a Republican as he left the Democratic Party in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 1992 United States Senate election in Colorado was held on November 3, 1992. Incumbent Democrat Tim Wirth decided to retire instead of seeking a second term. The open seat was won by Democratic nominee Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who later switched parties in 1995 and was re-elected as a Republican in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Colorado was held on November 4, 2014 to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Colorado, concurrently with the election of the Governor of Colorado, other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Udall ran for re-election to a second term, but narrowly lost to Republican U.S. Representative Cory Gardner by a margin of 1.9 percent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Colorado gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, concurrently with the election to Colorado's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Colorado elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Colorado on November 4, 2014. All of Colorado's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat and all of Colorado's seven seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on June 24, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Colorado was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic Senator Michael Bennet won reelection to a third full term, defeating Republican businessman Joe O'Dea. Originally appointed to the seat in 2009, Bennet won full terms in 2010 and 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Janofsky, Michael (March 4, 2004). "G.O.P. Senator Campbell of Colorado Will Retire". The New York Times.
  2. ↑ "Analysis: Owens focus of Senate talk - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  3. ↑ Chris Cillizza (March 3, 2004). "Campbell Exit Sparks a Scramble". Roll Call. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ Writer, Steven K. Paulson/AP (March 10, 2004). "Rep. Udall announces his bid for senate". www.vaildaily.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  5. ↑ Chris Cillizza (March 10, 2004). "Salazar Clears the Field". Roll Call. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Colorado - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  7. ↑ Chris Cillizza (March 10, 2004). "Salazar Clears the Field". Roll Call. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ↑ "Rocky Mountain News: Denver News, Business, Homes, Jobs, Cars, & Information". Archived from the original on August 19, 2004. Retrieved January 9, 2006.
  10. ↑ "The New York Times > Congressional Quarterly > Washington > Campaign 2004 > CQ Today: Republican Coors Gets Primary Win for Colorado Senate Seat". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  11. ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (August 11, 2004). "Coors Among Winners in Primaries for U.S. Senate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ↑ "The Coors campaign's deceptive advertising - Salon.com". Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  14. ↑ HighBeam
  15. ↑ "The Final Predictions". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 2004. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  16. ↑ "RealClear Politics - Polls".
  17. ↑ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.