2020 Colorado US Senate Voters Guide
Corey Gardner (R) vs John Hickenlooper (D)
The Candidates
No. Called the ACA a “failed law” with “many broken promises.” In 2017 voted three times to overturn the law.
Yes. Calls the ACA a “watershed moment in our nation’s health.” As governor, expanded Medicaid and established a state exchange.
Unclear on disclosure. Supported requiring Senate candidates to e-file campaign finance reports. No other position found.
Yes. Backed election bill H.R.1 to strengthen disclosure and campaign finance laws. Weakening them “has led to corruption.” Also, overturn Citizens United decision that removed campaign finance limits.
Mixed. “Humans are contributing to climate change.” Will push for clean-tech investments, but voted against cutting carbon emissions from power plants.
Yes. “The defining challenge of our time.” Must face with “fierce sense of urgency.” Would rejoin Paris Accord; calls for 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Yes. Filed a Supreme Court brief supporting the use of public funds to pay for educating children in private religious schools.
No. Supports parents selecting the best schools, but “would not support the use of publicly funded vouchers for private or religious school education.”
Loosen. Voted to repeal EPA rules regulating methane emissions on public lands. Repeal wetlands and waterway protection. Open Alaska wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling.
Mixed. As governor, adopted low-emission vehicle standards and developed tough methane standards, but fought restrictions on oil drilling near homes and schools.
Mixed. Sees marriage as only between a man and woman, but calls same-sex marriage “the law of the land, and it is important that we treat everyone with dignity and respect.”
No. “Strong supporter of Second Amendment rights.” Keep “guns out of the hands of criminals,” but opposed background checks for gun sales at gun shows and online.
Yes. “Will fight for comprehensive, common-sense policies to tackle gun violence,” including universal background checks, restoring assault weapons ban, and magazine limits.
Mixed. Voted against protecting DREAMers from deportation. Later co-sponsored legislation for a 12-year pathway to citizenship combined with increased border wall funding.
Yes. Wants to see “a permanent pathway to citizenship for our DREAMers” while “ensuring border security and protecting American workers.” Calls expanded border wall “ineffective” and a waste of billions.
Yes. Co-sponsored the National Right to Work Act, repealing bargaining provisions requiring union membership as a condition of employment.
Yes. Does not support federal legalization, but “let states decide.” Introduced legislation limiting reach of federal marijuana law.
Yes. Let states decide. Federal government should “get out of the way,” allow marijuana sellers access to banking.
No recent position found. Earlier: “Hundreds of thousands of people will lose their jobs … as a result of a minimum-wage increase.” Opposed increasing overtime-pay availability.
Yes. Supports $15-per-hour federal minimum. “Workers cannot get ahead without affordable child care, paid family leave, and fair compensation.”
No. Voted to defund Planned Parenthood.
Yes. Supports Planned Parenthood, as “a staunch supporter of reproductive health.”
No. Opposes Prop 113, as does Colorado Republican Party. Donated to campaign to overturn Colorado’s participation.
Yes. Previously ambivalent but now supports Prop 113, as does Colorado’s Democratic Party.
No. Voted against blocking arms sales to Saudi Arabia in June 2019.
Yes. Supports cutting off military support. “I don’t think supporting the Saudi campaign in Yemen is a great idea.”
No general stand found. Did introduce bill allowing employers to contribute tax free to employees’ student loans. Discharge federal student loans for the permanently disabled.