Cory Gardner, left, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Colorado, joins supporters in waving placards on the corner of a major intersection in south Denver early Election Day. Gardner defeated the Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall. (AP/David Zalubowski)
A decade ago, national journalists were gaga over the Salazar brothers, Ken and John, who were headed to Congress after stunning victories in Colorado. Now, the press can’t seem to get enough of Republican Cory Gardner after he defeated Democratic Sen. Mark Udall.
The headlines say it all:
“Is Colorado’s Cory Gardner showing the GOP how to win in 2016?”
“The best candidate of the 2014 election.”
“Seeking the next Cory Gardner.” .
It brings back memories of 2004. Ken won his race for the U.S. Senate, while big brother John was elected to Congress in the 4th Congressional District — seats Republicans had held. Their hunt for an apartment in D.C., the blessing from their mother Emma, all of it continued to make news.
But now all eyes are on Gardner, who gave up a safe congressional seat when he parachuted into the race in February. He beat Udall, and served as a national model for how to win a big campaign:
“How Colorado’s Cory Gardner turned the ‘war on women’ against Democrats.”
“Democrats need their own Cory Gardner.”
Gardner grew up in tiny Yuma County, where his family has sold tractors for nearly a century.
The Salazars had a great family story, too. Ken and John and their six siblings grew up on a ranch just north of the New Mexico border without electricity. Their parents instilled in them an astonishing work ethic (Ken cut his honeymoon short so he cut hay). They had lived in the San Luis Valley so long the joke was their ancestors arrived at the same time as the woolly mammoths.
Ken went on to serve as President Obama’s first . He now practices law in Denver. John lost to Republican Scott Tipton in 2010 and is serving as Gov. John Hickenlooper’s ag secretary, .
Interior Secretary-designate Sen. Ken Salazar D-Colo., left, reaches to embrace his brother Rep. John Salazar on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2009 during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Ken Salazar’s nomination. (AP)
