Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary race one week ago, announced Thursday that he will challenge Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in 2020.
"I’m running to give Colorado’s priorities and values a voice in Washington," Hickenlooper said on his campaign website. "Right now we’re represented by a senator who works to undo our progress by voting 99% of the time with Donald Trump and going along with Mitch McConnell’s obstruction and partisan political games.
"Hickenlooper added he is running for Senate "to make Washington work for Coloradans by bringing people together to lower health care and prescription drug costs, to keep our families safe from gun violence, and protect the state’s public lands while also combating climate change."
In his video statement released last Thursday announcing the end of his White House campaign, Hickenlooper said he’s heard from many Coloradans who want him to jump into the race against Gardner, widely considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans up for re-election next year.
“They remind me how much is at stake for our country. And our state,” Hickenlooper said of those urging him to mount a Senate bid. “I intend to give that some serious thought.”
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine