on Monday officially to unseat six-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, saying he will tackle the issues and carry over the themes from his failed campaign for U.S. Senate last year.
“When you spend almost two years out talking to people, praying with them and really finding out some of those tough issues that are impacting them, it makes a lasting impression on you,” the Republican said in an interview with The Denver Post last week. “I remember at the end of the campaign I wanted to continue fighting for that.”
Glenn said he is concerned with the direction of politics in Colorado and across the nation, where leaders “are still in election mode.” He said the is distracting from the issues he would like to see addressed — such as the high cost of housing, the opioid crisis and jobs.
“There’s going to be an investigation going on and (let’s) let that play out. When there’s a conclusion on that, then deal with it,” he said. “… We’re living in this reality show, and it’s about political posturing for the next election. That’s not OK with me. We need to do better.”
He said he is unhappy with the work to repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, arguing that Democrats and Republicans should work together to fix the nation’s health care system.
“Like anything, I remember who I work for,” he said. “You work for the people who sent you to office. You have to have enough conviction to stand for something. It doesn’t matter if it’s the opposing party or your own party.”
Glenn joins — another Republican — in challenging Lamborn for the 5th Congressional District seat, which covers El Paso and Teller counties. Lamborn other efforts by fellow Republicans to unseat him. The district is heavily conservative, meaning whoever wins the GOP primary will almost surely take the seat.
A spokesman for Lamborn said he isn’t focused on his current roster of challengers.
“The Congressman just completed work on numerous policy amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act ahead of its strong, bipartisan passage,” Lamborn’s spokesman, Jarred Rego, said in a written statement. “His focus is on polices that strengthen our national security needs and protect and grow our local military missions, not on the ambitions of local politicians.”
Glenn declined to criticize his opponent, saying “I have nothing negative to say about Congressman Lamborn” but that he has “the best solutions to be able to bring those issues forward.”
Glenn emerged as a in the 2016 U.S. Senate race against Democrat Michael Bennet after most big-name Republicans took a pass on the race. after receiving and once calling
“We could have won that race,” he said his interview with The Post.
“We are going to continue that same methodology,” Glenn said. “We’re going to continue to bring the people’s campaign forward. This is not about negative campaigning. This is not about what has Congressman Lamborn done wrong or anybody else.”