The 2020 election cycle has been predicted by many to be one of the most crucial in our lifetimes. Mounting disapproval towards President Trump has sparked a nationwide movement from the left. They seek not only to unseat the Commander-in-Chief, but to flip the Republican-controlled Senate and clear a path towards radical change in both national and international policy.
Because of this, Democrats are closely watching Senate races across the country. Among the most contested of these races is that of our very own state. Republican incumbent Cory Gardner and Democrat John Hickenlooper, the clear frontrunner for the nomination, are the most noteworthy candidates.
Cory Gardner
On education, the CSU graduate believes in loosening federal roles in education and leaving decisions to be made on state and local levels. He recognizes the growing concern that education costs pose towards young people and advocates for more affordable education.
Despite his belief in climate change and its human causes, Gardner supports the development and utilization of all different kinds of energy. This, unfortunately, includes fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal. This lack of emphasis on curtailing the use of fossil fuels is a troublesome stance for a senator in a position of authority on energy.
On healthcare, Gardner has long been opposed to the Affordable Care Act. He intends to focus on lowering the costs of healthcare by encouraging competition in the private healthcare market; a stance that will undoubtedly meet strong opposition from constituents and competitors alike.
In January of 2018, he supported a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and has repeatedly supported the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
He is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and is unlikely to support any common sense gun control measures.
While Gardner supports increased border security, he spoke in contempt towards President Trump’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. Aside from this one-off example of opposition to the President, the Senator tends to support the President’s decisions and has already endorsed him for re-election.
Gardner stands as a run-of-the-mill Republican. It’s clear that many, if not all of his stances would be at odds with legislature pushed by any Democratic president. Personally, I find it hard to support Gardner. In a time when student debt cripples the young workforce, when healthcare costs threaten to bankrupt countless Americans in need of care and climate change threatens to destroy or at least fundamentally change our way of life, how could I support a candidate who presents no solid plans to curb student debt, is against a public, federal healthcare system and proposes not to curtail, but expand on the fossil fuel industry?
John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper, who many remember because of his failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, is best described as a moderate.
Despite his staunch opposition to Colorado’s legalization of marijuana in 2012 as governor, he has hinted that his view on the topic has evolved in a progressive manner. It’s difficult to predict whether or not he’d support the federal legalization of the substance, though.
Hickenlooper is in favor of the USA rejoining the Paris climate agreement and instituting a carbon tax; a position that’s hard to complain about, given our federal government’s current lack of plans to reduce emissions. In contrast to many of his left-wing peers, though, his pro-business tendencies have led to his support of the fracking industry.
The former Denver mayor has implemented legislation that requires background checks for the purchase of firearms and has limited the capacity of magazines sold in the state.
Hickenlooper has expanded Medicaid in Colorado in the past, yet was opposed to a plan to create a publicly-funded healthcare option. In recent times, however, he has come out in support of a single-payer option.
In regards to reproductive rights, the Senate hopeful has a record in favor of expanding programs that give women easier access to long-acting, reversible contraception. While he is pro-choice, he tends to focus on enabling women to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Hickenlooper is a step up from Gardner. For those seeking fast, radical change, though, he might not be the candidate to support. His candidacy begs the question: Is a moderate enough? Seeing as how he’s poised for the nomination, he may be the best option.
His nuanced stances, though, were a major contributing factor to the failure of his presidential bid. While there’s no doubt that a term for Hickenlooper would be a step in the right direction for the nation, only time will tell if his voting record will uphold the values sought by so many left-wing supporters, should he achieve his goal of becoming a Senator.
