Paint this big square state purple. Again.
Joining the echoes heard across the country, Colorado voters on Tuesday began restoring some Republicans to power across Colorado. However, true to the independent streak that runs strong through this Western state, Democrats held their own.
Democratic Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, having benefitted from a fractured Republican Party, will be the state’s 42nd governor.
The U.S. Senate race between Democrat Michael Bennet and Republican Ken Buck still was too close to call as of our deadline. The fact a Democrat could stay so close in an otherwise good year for Republicans speaks to Colorado’s independence.
Voters also wisely turned down three tax-slashing measures, Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101, which would have devastated a state budget that already has a $1 billion shortfall while shortchanging schools and roads.
Voters were in the mood to say no, rejecting Amendment 62, the “personhood” amendment; Amendment 63, which would prohibit the federal health care mandate; and Proposition 102, an unnecessary gift to the bail bonds industry.
While we endorsed Hickenlooper and Bennet, we have long believed that government works best when it’s divided. When one party, whether it’s Democrats or Republicans, controls all the power, it overreaches.
After six years of Democrats controlling Colorado’s statehouse, Republicans late last night were taking steps to win back the House, and quite possibly the state Senate.
Voters wisely kept incumbent Attorney General John Suthers, a Republican, in office while kicking out Secretary of State Bernie Buescher in favor of Republican activist and lawyer Scott Gessler. Buescher had been appointed to the seat by Gov. Bill Ritter.
One other high-profile statewide race also was still too close to call.Treasurer Cary Kennedy was locked in a battle with Republican Walker Stapleton.
It appears that Hickenlooper, a rare bright spot for Democrats across the country, could end up presiding over a divided legislature.
Both parties were fighting to retain control of the statehouse and the governor’s mansion because they want to control the redistricting process that will take place next spring when the legislature redraws the boundaries for Colorado’s seven congressional districts.
Hickenlooper may end up having to govern without a compliant statehouse, depending on how some of the legislative races go, but that’s not without precedent — and not a bad thing. In fact, Democratic Govs. Dick Lamm and Roy Romer presided alongside GOP statehouses, and did just fine, and Republican Gov. Bill Owens had a split legislature for four of his eight years.
For Hickenlooper and those elected to Colorado’s statehouse, the hard work of campaigning is over. Now comes the critical work of governing.
The jobless rate is high. The economy is struggling and the state budget is in tatters. But today, Colorado gets a fresh start.
