Colorado gubernatorial election, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of Colorado
, who will serve a four-year term to begin in January 2011. John Hickenlooper
won the race with over 50% of the vote. Incumbent Democratic
Governor Bill Ritter announced that he would not run for re-election in 2010. Dan Maes
claimed the Republican
nomination in the primary with 50.6% of the vote and a 1.3% margin over rival Scott McInnis
. In claiming victory, Maes called on Constitution Party
candidate and former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo
to "stop your campaign tonight." John Hickenlooper
was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
ticket, he spoke as a Republican in responding to the poll results. "Tancredo, originally a McInnis supporter, has said that both Maes and McInnis should 'both eventually drop out' of the race even if it's after one wins the primary. 'Neither can win the general election,' he said. Tancredo said he was 'surprised and flattered' by the poll results. 'I want us as a party to get this governor's seat,' he said. 'If I can do it, believe me, I will.'" Tancredo was delivered a "message, signed by tea party
, 9-12 Project
and constitutionalist groups, [which] read in part: 'Withdraw your ultimatum, stay in the Republican Party, let the process play out for the governor's race within the rules already set forth, and continue to help us improve this party, its candidates, and the process — in other words to trust and respect the newly awakened, energized and informed voters of Colorado.'" As of late July, both McInnis and Maes had rejected Tancredo's ultimatum that they withdraw before or after the primary. And "political observers — and even state GOP chairman Dick Wadhams
— were already predicting [Tancredo]'s entry into the race sounded the death knell for the party's gubernatorial bid and may cause problems for state legislative races. 'It's difficult if not impossible to beat ... Hickenlooper with Tancredo in the race,' said Wadhams, noting that Tancredo will siphon just enough votes away from the GOP nominee to give Hickenlooper a win." Post-primary polling (see below), however, has shown growing support for Tancredo with Maes in danger of receiving a vote share in the single digits.
Debate
Official campaign websites
Governor of Colorado
The Governor of Colorado is the head of the executive branch of Colorado's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly, to convene the...
, who will serve a four-year term to begin in January 2011. John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper
John Wright Hickenlooper is an American politician and current Governor of Colorado. A Democrat, he was previously the Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 2003 to 2011.-Early life, education and career:...
won the race with over 50% of the vote. Incumbent Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor Bill Ritter announced that he would not run for re-election in 2010. Dan Maes
Dan Maes
Daniel B. Maes , is an American businessman and politician of Dutch descent. He was the Republican candidate in the 2010 Colorado gubernatorial election. Maes lives in Evergreen.-Early life, education and career:...
claimed the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination in the primary with 50.6% of the vote and a 1.3% margin over rival Scott McInnis
Scott McInnis
Stephen Scott Emory McInnis is a lawyer and former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado. In August, 2010, McInnis lost his bid to be gubernatorial nominee after a plagiarism accusation and apology hurt his standing.-Education and professional history:Born in...
. In claiming victory, Maes called on Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
candidate and former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo
Tom Tancredo
Thomas Gerard "Tom" Tancredo is an American politician from Colorado, who represented the state's sixth congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009, as a Republican...
to "stop your campaign tonight." John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper
John Wright Hickenlooper is an American politician and current Governor of Colorado. A Democrat, he was previously the Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 2003 to 2011.-Early life, education and career:...
was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Declined
- Bill Ritter, incumbent Governor
- Ken SalazarKen SalazarKenneth Lee "Ken" Salazar is the current United States Secretary of the Interior, in the administration of President Barack Obama. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 2005 to 2009. He and Mel Martinez were the first Hispanic U.S...
, United States Secretary of the InteriorUnited States Secretary of the InteriorThe United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
, former Senator - Andrew RomanoffAndrew RomanoffHarlan Andrew Romanoff is an American politician. A Democrat, he was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, serving as Speaker from 2005 to 2008...
, former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives
Candidates
- Scott McInnisScott McInnisStephen Scott Emory McInnis is a lawyer and former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado. In August, 2010, McInnis lost his bid to be gubernatorial nominee after a plagiarism accusation and apology hurt his standing.-Education and professional history:Born in...
, lawyer, former CongressmanUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Glenwood Springs - Dan MaesDan MaesDaniel B. Maes , is an American businessman and politician of Dutch descent. He was the Republican candidate in the 2010 Colorado gubernatorial election. Maes lives in Evergreen.-Early life, education and career:...
, businessman from Evergreen, claimed victory August 10 in the primary with 100% of precincts reporting
Results
Declined
- John SuthersJohn SuthersJohn William Suthers is the current Attorney General of Colorado. He is a practicing Catholic and member of the Republican Party.-Background:Suthers was born in Denver, Colorado and adopted a month later by a Colorado Springs couple....
, Colorado Attorney GeneralColorado Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General of the State of Colorado is the chief legal officer for the state of Colorado, and the head of the Colorado Department of Law... - Josh PenryJosh PenryJosh Penry is the former minority leader of the Colorado Senate. Elected in 2006, Penry was the youngest member of the Colorado state Senate. According to The Denver Post, Penry played a leadership role in opposing regulation for the oil and gas industry and a labor bill. Penry has been...
, State Senator - Tom TancredoTom TancredoThomas Gerard "Tom" Tancredo is an American politician from Colorado, who represented the state's sixth congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009, as a Republican...
, former CongressmanUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Pre-primary polling and developments
While a head-to-head polling matchup of McInnis against Maes by Survey USA was not reported for July 2010, the McInnis plagiarism story and the entry of Tom Tancredo into the race led to a changed landscape in advance of the August 10 Republican primary. "When asked who would be the 'strongest Republican gubernatorial candidate,' ... Tancredo easily led the pack of six choices with 29 percent. McInnis followed with 19 percent, and ... Maes, had 13 percent. Another 17 percent ... were not sure," in the Survey USA poll commissioned by the Denver Post and 9News. While Tancredo's run was on the Constitution PartyConstitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
ticket, he spoke as a Republican in responding to the poll results. "Tancredo, originally a McInnis supporter, has said that both Maes and McInnis should 'both eventually drop out' of the race even if it's after one wins the primary. 'Neither can win the general election,' he said. Tancredo said he was 'surprised and flattered' by the poll results. 'I want us as a party to get this governor's seat,' he said. 'If I can do it, believe me, I will.'" Tancredo was delivered a "message, signed by tea party
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
, 9-12 Project
9-12 Project
The 9-12 Project is a non-political group created by American television and radio personality Glenn Beck. It was launched on the Friday 13 March 2009 episode of Glenn Beck, the eponymous talk show on Fox News Channel...
and constitutionalist groups, [which] read in part: 'Withdraw your ultimatum, stay in the Republican Party, let the process play out for the governor's race within the rules already set forth, and continue to help us improve this party, its candidates, and the process — in other words to trust and respect the newly awakened, energized and informed voters of Colorado.'" As of late July, both McInnis and Maes had rejected Tancredo's ultimatum that they withdraw before or after the primary. And "political observers — and even state GOP chairman Dick Wadhams
Dick Wadhams
Dick Wadhams is a Republican political consultant, known for his role in guiding John Thune to an upset victory over then United States Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle...
— were already predicting [Tancredo]'s entry into the race sounded the death knell for the party's gubernatorial bid and may cause problems for state legislative races. 'It's difficult if not impossible to beat ... Hickenlooper with Tancredo in the race,' said Wadhams, noting that Tancredo will siphon just enough votes away from the GOP nominee to give Hickenlooper a win." Post-primary polling (see below), however, has shown growing support for Tancredo with Maes in danger of receiving a vote share in the single digits.
McInnis vs. Maes
| Poll source | Dates administered | Dan Maes (R) | Scott McInnis (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | August 7–8, 2010 | 40% | 41% |
| Survey USA | August 1, 2010 | 43% | 39% |
| Survey USA | June 15–17, 2010 | 29% | 57% |
Candidates
- Jaimes Brown
- Dan "Kilo" Sallis, 2008 vice presidential candidate of the Boston Tea PartyBoston Tea Party (political party)The Boston Tea Party is a U.S. political party named after the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Its ideology is libertarian.A group of former Libertarian Party members founded the party in 2006...
Results
Candidates
- Tom Tancredo (ACP)
- For Lt. Governor: Former State Rep. Pat Miller
- Jaimes Brown (L)
- For Lt. Governor: Ken Wyble
- Jason R. Clark (UAF)
- Paul Fiorino (I)
- For Lt. Governor: Heather McKibbin
- John Hickenlooper (D)
- For Lt. Governor: Colorado State University-Pueblo President Joe Garcia
- Dan Maes (R)
- For Lt. Governor: Former State Rep. Tambor Williams
Polling and Predictions
| Poll source | Dates administered | John Hickenlooper (D) | Dan Maes (R) | Tom Tancredo (ACP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 30-31, 2010 | 47% | 8% | 43% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 29, 2010 | 49% | 5% | 42% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 21-23, 2010 | 47% | 5% | 44% |
| Magellan Strategies | October 22, 2010 | 44% | 9% | 43% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 15, 2010 | 42% | 12% | 38% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 3, 2010 | 43% | 16% | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 30-October 2, 2010 | 47% | 13% | 33% |
| Survey USA | September 28-30, 2010 | 46% | 15% | 34% |
| Fox News | September 25, 2010 | 44% | 15% | 34% |
| CNN/Time | September 17–21, 2010 | 47% | 21% | 29% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 14, 2010 | 46% | 21% | 25% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 29, 2010 | 36% | 24% | 14% |
| Ipsos/Reuters | August 20–22, 2010 | 41% | 33% | 16% |
| 45% | 45% | –– | ||
| Rasmussen Reports | August 11, 2010 | 43% | 31% | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 7–8, 2010 | 48% | 23% | 22% |
| 50% | 38% | –– | ||
| Rasmussen Reports | August 2, 2010 | 42% | 27% | 24% |
| Survey USA | July 27–29, 2010 | 46% | 24% | 24% |
| 50% | 41% | –– | ||
| Rasmussen Reports | July 15, 2010 | 46% | 43% | –– |
| Survey USA | June 15–17, 2010 | 44% | 45% | –– |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 14, 2010 | 41% | 41% | –– |
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... |
Lean D | November 1, 2010 |
| Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... |
D favored | October 31, 2010 |
| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
Leans D | October 31, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... |
Leans D | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress... |
Leans D | November 1, 2010 |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... |
Leans D | November 1, 2010 |
General election results
External links
- Colorado Secretary of State - Elections Division
- Colorado Governor Candidates at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Campaign contributions for 2010 Colorado Governor from Follow the Money
- Colorado Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
- 2010 Colorado Gubernatorial General Election: Dan Maes (R) vs John Hickenlooper (D) vs Tom Tancredo (i) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: Colorado Governor from Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
- 2010 Colorado Governor - McInnis vs. Hickenlooper from Real Clear Politics
- 2010 Colorado Governor's Race from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Race Profile in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- Collected news and commentary at Election 2010 at The Denver PostThe Denver Post-Ownership:The Post is the flagship newspaper of MediaNews Group Inc., founded in 1983 by William Dean Singleton and Richard Scudder. MediaNews is today one of the nation's largest newspaper chains, publisher of 61 daily newspapers and more than 120 non-daily publications in 13 states. MediaNews...
Debate
- Colorado Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debate on C-SPANC-SPANC-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
, July 29, 2010
Official campaign websites