DENVER – U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner defeated incumbent Democrat Mark Udall on Tuesday night in one of the closest-watched races in the nation.
Results from the secretary of state’s office had Gardner defeating Udall 51 percent to 44 percent. Gardner garnered 844,360 votes to Udall’s 730,603 votes, as of 11:30 p.m.
A jubilant Gardner took to the stage at a Colorado GOP election night watch party at the Denver Tech Center Hyatt just south of Denver. He was surrounded by his family, staff and supporters, excited about moving from the House to the Senate next year.
“I will work each and every day for every person in Colorado to find those solutions. Not for party or for politics, but for you, the people of Colorado,” Gardner said to an eruption of applause at the standing-room-only event.
Outside the ballroom where Gardner spoke, gaggles of supporters huddled in the doorways hoping to catch a glimpse of the newly-elected darling of the Republican Party from Yuma.
“Tonight the people of Colorado sent a message, a message that what is happening in Washington isn’t working and it has to stop,” Gardner said.
Pollsters foreshadowed the race to come down to a coin toss, which would have suggested a late night of ballot counting. But by 8:30 p.m., the race was already in the bag.
The entire landscape of the race changed back in February when a coordinated effort by Republicans convinced a crowded field of GOP candidates to make way for a run by Gardner. He was considered the strongest candidate to take on Udall and a rising national Republican star.
The election result carries significance for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, which Republicans regained control of on Tuesday. The race was also a referendum on President Barack Obama and his policies.
With Colorado being ground zero and one of the closest watched races in the nation, money poured in. At least $94 million was spent between the candidates and outside groups. Most of that money was spent on attack ads, rather than highlighting the accomplishments of either candidate.
The focus of the race was on the stark contrasts between Udall and Gardner.
Democrats revived a strategy of painting a “war on women” waged by Republicans, suggesting that Gardner was not in touch with the concerns of women. They highlighted birth control and abortion, among other issues.
Gardner, meanwhile, spent his time attacking Udall for policies that follow the president’s agenda, including support for health care reform. Republicans said Udall promised that consumers would be allowed to keep their health care plans, but when a wave of cancellation notices hit the mail, Republicans pounced, calling Udall a liar.
Udall’s campaign conceded the race at around 10:15 p.m.
“We did democracy,” a graceful but somber Udall addressed his audience at a Democratic watch party in Denver. “You all know I’m a mountain climber. ... I thought of this as the biggest, baddest mountain I ever faced.”
The senator appeared to have no regrets, adding, “As long as I’ve had the privilege to serve the people of Colorado, I always felt that I came out ahead, and tonight is no exception.”
The candidates held a few final get-out-the-vote events on Tuesday. But both campaigns acknowledged that the wheels were already in motion, and the only thing left to do was wait for returns.
Democrats usually do better with GOTV efforts, especially with minority and younger voters. But Republicans put up formidable competition, turning out voters both early and on Election Day.
“We won this election because we asked Coloradans to lift their eyes to that great Rocky Mountain horizon, to look ahead to a future that is brighter than our present,” Gardner said. “Ours is a forever young state with a forever hopeful attitude.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
