UPDATE: Udall Wins.
Two-term incumbent Sen. Wayne Allard (R) is not seeking re-election. Former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R) faces off against Rep. Mark Udall (D) for Sen. Allard's open seat. In 2004, Bush eeked out a win (52%) while voters also sent a Democrat to the Senate. Colorado has voted Republican in eight of the last nine presidential elections. Its other Senator is a Republican. Will the economy (or Obama's coattails) be enough to inspire Colorado voters to send a Democrat to the Senate?
1. Rep. Mark Udall (D)
Current: 5th term Democrat from Colorado 2nd District
First Elected: 1998
Residence: Eldorado Springs
Marital Status: Married (Margaret)
Previous Experience: CO House, 1996-98; US House, 1998-present
Education: BA Williams College, 1972
Religion: Not Affiliated
Birthdate: 18 July 1950
Current Committee Assignments: Armed Services, Natural Resources, Science and Technology
Rep. Udall is a super-delegate at the Democratic National Convention.
First Elected: 1998
Residence: Eldorado Springs
Marital Status: Married (Margaret)
Previous Experience: CO House, 1996-98; US House, 1998-present
Education: BA Williams College, 1972
Religion: Not Affiliated
Birthdate: 18 July 1950
Current Committee Assignments: Armed Services, Natural Resources, Science and Technology
Rep. Udall is a super-delegate at the Democratic National Convention.
2. Former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R)
Former: Three-term Republican from Colorado 4th District
First elected: 1996
Residence: Fort Collins
Marital Status: Married (Maureen)
Previous Experience: Small Business Owner; CO Senate, 1987-96; US House, 1996-2002; Colorado Board of Education, 2007-present
Education: BA Univ. of Dayton, 1984
Religion: Catholic
Birthdate: 24 July 1962
In 2004, Schaffer ran for the US Senate after Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R) retired. He lost the nomination to Pete Coors, of brewery fame. In 2008 the League of Conservation Voters named Schaffer a member of its "Dirty Dozen."
First elected: 1996
Residence: Fort Collins
Marital Status: Married (Maureen)
Previous Experience: Small Business Owner; CO Senate, 1987-96; US House, 1996-2002; Colorado Board of Education, 2007-present
Education: BA Univ. of Dayton, 1984
Religion: Catholic
Birthdate: 24 July 1962
In 2004, Schaffer ran for the US Senate after Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R) retired. He lost the nomination to Pete Coors, of brewery fame. In 2008 the League of Conservation Voters named Schaffer a member of its "Dirty Dozen."
3. Online Presence
Rep. Udall Former Rep. Schaffer5. Odds and Predictions
Schaffer ran, and lost, in 2004. But he's run a statewide campaign, which is a far different task than running for a House seat. Udall, on the other hand, is demonstrating a greater familiarity with new, online campaigning tools than is Schaffer.And Udall has more money at mid-year. Not surprisingly, then, early polling gives the nod to Udall.
