Colorado's Senate Race Is A Squeaker

DENVER (AllPolitics, Nov. 2) -- Just as Colorado is a key presidential battleground this year, so is the state's Senate race shaping up to be one of the most competitive contests in the country.

One-term Republican Sen. Hank Brown is retiring, and the showdown between Republican Rep. Wayne Allard and Democratic lawyer Tom Strickland to replace him seems too close to call.

Republicans are counting on Colorado's slightly rightward lean to elect Allard, a conservative who has represented the state's vast, agricultural 4th District for three terms. But Democrats, smarting over the 1995 defection by Colorado's other senator, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, from the Democratic Party to the GOP, are working hard to wrest one seat back.

Both Allard and Strickland were primed for a fight after emerging from competitive primaries Aug. 13. Allard, a veterinarian, has been highlighting Strickland's career as a lawyer and lobbyist, and asking voters whether they would rather send a veterinarian or a lobbyist to Washington.

Strickland's campaign, which is trying to seize the political middle while branding Allard's views out of the mainstream, labels the vet vs. lobbyist theme an attempt by Allard to run away from his record.

Abortion was one of the major issues in the GOP primary between Allard and his opponent, state Attorney General Gale Norton, and is likely to emerge in the final weeks of the general election campaign. Allard opposes abortion rights, while Strickland, like Norton, supports them.

Strickland, who has won endorsements from the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters, is also highlighting environmental issues and favored the recently enacted extension of the Brady Bill, which requires criminal background checks prior to the purchase of handguns, to individuals with histories of domestic abuse.

Allard, meanwhile, is talking about his own record of supporting fiscal restraint, including his advocacy for a balanced budget and strengthening local over federal control of government programs. He portrays Strickland as more liberal than his moderate presentation would indicate.

Allard sparked a flurry of controversy after he indicated he would support public hangings if such a tactic was found to deter crimes. Allard made his comment in response to a question posed at a Sept. 29 debate.

While Allard is likely to do well in his 4th District base, Strickland is hoping for good turnouts in strong Democratic areas such as Denver, Boulder and other northern sections of the state.

In 1992, President Bill Clinton carried Colorado with 40 percent of the vote, compared with 36 percent for George Bush and 23 percent for independent candidate Ross Perot. Although this was a first for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, polls show another Colorado win this year is at least within Clinton's reach.

Yet because Coloradans are known for their independent- mindedness, few are suggesting another Clinton victory here would necessarily push Strickland over the top.

Related Links:

• Colorado State Profile