With his victory Tuesday in the secretary of state contest, Mike Coffman’s long winning streak continued at the expense of a longtime political foil.
Coffman, the Republican two-term state treasurer, claimed a statewide victory over Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon.
“I actually think he ran a better campaign than I did,” Coffman said of Gordon, who broke into the state legislature with him in 1992. “He did things that were very innovative, very creative.”
Gordon held a fundraising advantage despite continuing his tradition of not accepting money from political-action committees, and kept the positive campaign close through a pair of humorous television ads.
But Coffman gained the win through a statewide GOP voter advantage and his compelling personal story as a Marine who came out of military retirement earlier this year to help conduct elections in Iraq.
Gordon, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, called Coffman late Tuesday to offer congratulations but did not formally concede, pending final results.
“Actually, I think the numbers are going to tighten, looking at the precincts still coming in,” Coffman said Wednesday as he marveled at losses nationwide among his GOP colleagues. “To tell you the truth, given this environment, I think I did very well.”
Staff writer Steve Lipsher can be reached at 970-513-9495 or slipsher@denverpost.com.
