2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado

Overview

Statewide

By district

Results of the 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado by district:

Redistricting

During the redistricting process, Republicans argued for minimal changes to the existing map while Democrats pushed for more competitive districts. After a committee of ten members of the Colorado General Assembly failed to draw a map, in November 2011, Judge Robert Hyatt ruled in favor of Democrats' proposals. In December 2011, the Colorado Supreme Court affirmed Hyatt's ruling.

District 1

DeGette:
Stockham: Colorado's 1st congressional district, which had been represented by Democrat Diana DeGette since 1997, was not significantly modified in redistricting and continues to be based in Denver. The new 1st district includes Ken Caryl and Cherry Hills Village.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Diana DeGette, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Danny Stroud, Army major

Eliminated in primary

• Richard Murphy

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Feminist Majority
• Human Rights Campaign
• Humane Society of the United States
• J Street
• NARAL Pro-Choice America
• National Organization for Women
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club

Newspapers

• The Denver Post

Predictions

Results

District 2

Polis:
Lundberg: In redistricting, Larimer County, home to Fort Collins, was added to Colorado's 2nd congressional district, which had been represented by Democrat Jared Polis since 2009 and is still based in Boulder.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jared Polis, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kevin Lundberg, state senator

Eliminated in primary

• Eric Weissmann, businessman

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Education Association

Organizations

• Feminist Majority
• Human Rights Campaign
• Humane Society of the United States
• J Street
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club

Newspapers

• The Denver Post Organizations
• Eagle Forum
• Gun Owners of America
• National Republican Congressional Committee "On the Radar" Program
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund

Predictions

Results

District 3

Tipton:

Bush:
In redistricting, Colorado's 3rd congressional district, which stretches from Pueblo to Grand Junction, was made slightly more favorable to Democrats. Part of Eagle County was added to the district, while Las Animas County was removed from it.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Scott Tipton, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Democrat John Salazar, who represented the district from 2005 until 2011, said in December 2010 that he was considering seeking a rematch against Republican Scott Tipton, to whom he lost his seat in 2010. He commented, "We're thinking that we might run again in two years, but who knows? I'm keeping all options open. We've been offered a possibility of serving at many other places, or there's a great possibility of going back to the ranch and raising cattle." In January 2011, Governor John Hickenlooper appointed Salazar to serve as Colorado Agriculture Commissioner.

On May 19, 2011, Democratic state representative Sal Pace said he was "likely to put a campaign together", having met with U.S. House minority whip Steny Hoyer. On May 31, Pace declared his intention to challenge Tipton. Hoyer also suggested the name of Perry Haney, a surgeon, as a potential candidate; however, Haney later formed an exploratory committee to run in the 6th district but withdrew from the race in February 2012.

Candidates

Nominee

• Sal Pace, state representative

Declined

• Perry Haney, surgeon
• John Salazar, former U.S. representative

Primary results

Libertarian primary

Primary results

Tisha Casida, a businesswoman, ran as an independent candidate.

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• GOProud
• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• The Denver Post Labor unions
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Blue Dog Coalition
• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• Feminist Majority
• Human Rights Campaign
• J Street
• League of Conservation Voters
• Sierra Club

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 4

Gardner:
Shaffer: After redistricting, Colorado's 4th congressional district continued to strongly favor Republicans. It lost Fort Collins to the 2nd District; as a result, the largest city in the district is now Greeley.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Cory Gardner, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Brandon Shaffer, president of the Colorado Senate

Declined

• Betsy Markey, assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and former U.S. representative

Primary results

Constitution primary

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• Gun Owners of America
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• The Denver Post Labor unions
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• NARAL Pro-Choice America
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 5

Lamborn:
Colorado's 5th congressional district, which had been represented by Republican Doug Lamborn since 2007, was not significantly modified in redistricting and is still centered in Colorado Springs. It is expected to continue to strongly favor Republicans.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Doug Lamborn, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

• Doug Bergeron, insurance agent
• Robert Blaha, businessman

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Bob Evans

Constitution primary

Primary results

General election

The Republican candidate did not see a Democratic challenger, as Democratic candidate Bob Evans suspended his campaign.

However, Jim Pirtle (Libertarian), Kenneth R. Harvell (American Constitution), and Dave Anderson (no party affiliation) all challenged the Republican Party nominee.

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• Eagle Forum
• Gun Owners of America
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• The Denver Post

Predictions

Results

District 6

Coffman:
Miklosi:

In redistricting, Colorado's 6th congressional district was made more favorable to Democrats. While the 6th had leaned Republican since its creation in 1983, the new 6th's population was evenly split between Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. All of Aurora was added to the district. Republican Mike Coffman had represented the 6th district since 2009.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike Coffman, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joe Miklosi, state representative

Withdrawn

• Perry Haney, chiropractor

Declined

• Morgan Carroll, state senator
• John Morse, majority leader of the state senate
• Andrew Romanoff, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives
• Brandon Shaffer, president of the Colorado Senate (running in the 4th district)

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• The Denver Post Labor unions
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Council for a Livable World
• Democracy for America
• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• Human Rights Campaign
• League of Conservation Voters
• NARAL Pro-Choice America
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Progressive Change Campaign Committee
• Sierra Club

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 7

Perlmutter: Colorado's 7th congressional district, which had been represented by Democrat Ed Perlmutter since 2007, was modified in redistricting to include the more populated suburbs of Adams County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ed Perlmutter, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joe Coors Jr, brother of 2004 U.S. Senate candidate Pete Coors

Primary results

Constitution primary

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Human Rights Campaign
• Humane Society of the United States
• NARAL Pro-Choice America
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club

Newspapers

• The Denver Post Organizations
• Gun Owners of America
• National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 8, 2012

Polling

Predictions

Results

References

References

1. (July 1, 2011). "2012 Election Calendar". [[Secretary of State of Colorado.
2. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 2012".
3. Stokols, Eli. (November 10, 2011). "Judge decides redistricting battle in favor of Democrats". [[KDVR.
4. Bartels, Lynn. (December 5, 2011). "Democrats win fight over Colorado Congressional boundaries". [[The Denver Post]].
5. Hoover, Tim. (November 12, 2011). "New map may shake up Colorado congressional races". [[The Denver Post]].
6. "Election 2012: Boilermakers recommend candidates". International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
7. "NALC-ENDORSED CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES". NALC.
8. "Feminist Majority 2012 Endorsed Candidates".
9. "2012 ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS". Human Rights Campaign.
10. "Humane USA PAC".
11. "JStreetPAC 2012 Endorsees".
12. "Pro-Choice Voter Guide".
13. "2012 NOW PACs Endorsements: All Federal Races".
14. "Planned Parenthood Action Voter guide - AZ". Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
15. "The Sierra Club is proud to announce its endorsements for the November 2012 election:". Sierra Club, Rocky Mountain Chapter.
16. (26 October 2012). "2012 Denver Post Endorsements". The Denver Post.
17. (November 5, 2012). "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com.
18. (November 2, 2012). "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com.
19. [http://www.rollcall.com/politics/race-ratings-chart-2012-house-elections.html], {{As of. 2012. 11. 04
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23. (November 3, 2012). "House Ratings". The Hill.
24. "CO – Election Results". Colorado Secretary of State.
25. Powell, Rebecca. (January 10, 2012). "Lundberg, Polis bout for 2nd District". [[The Coloradoan]].
26. (12 February 2013). "2012 Candidates Endorsed By Eagle Forum PAC".
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28. "Colorado Endorsements". National Right to Life.
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31. Hoover, Tim. (January 6, 2011). "Hickenlooper picks ex-Rep. John Salazar to be ag commissioner". [[The Denver Post]].
32. Plunkett, Chuck. (May 19, 2011). "Steny Hoyer: Sal Pace, Brandon Shaffer committed to congressional races in 2012". [[The Denver Post]].
33. Moreno, Ivan. (May 31, 2011). "Colorado Rep. Pace to challenge Tipton in 3rd District". [[The Aspen Times]].
34. Malone, Patrick. (June 1, 2011). "Pace running for 3rd Congressional District". [[The Pueblo Chieftain]].
35. "2012 Candidate Endorsements".
36. (October 25, 2012). "GOProud Announces U.S. House Endorsements - GOProud, Inc.".
37. "Candidates". NRCC.
38. "Help With Voting".
39. "Blue Dog Endorsements".
40. "RED TO BLUE 2012". DCCC.
41. "2012 Endorsements".
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44. Burns, Alexander. (April 12, 2011). "Frosh watch: Gardner rakes it in". [[Politico (newspaper).
45. Fryar, John. (February 2, 2012). "Longmont's Brandon Shaffer says he'll stay in 4th District race". [[Longmont Times-Call]].
46. Isenstadt, Alex. (February 26, 2011). "No Markey-Gardner rematch in 2012". [[Politico (newspaper).
47. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190812025252/https://www.timescall.com/2012/08/08/shaffer-says-poll-shows-him-gaining-on-gardner-in-4th-cd-contest/ Lauer Johnson Research (D-Schaffer)]
48. Lee, Kurtis. (February 26, 2012). "In CD 5, a long-shot candidate hopes to defy incumbency and wealth of competitors". [[The Denver Post]].
49. Roeder, Tom. (January 22, 2012). "Colorado Springs U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn announces re-election bid". [[The Denver Post]].
50. Schroyer, John. (March 13, 2012). "No Democrat running in 5th CD". [[The Gazette (Colorado Springs).
51. McDermott, Cailey. (March 20, 2012). "Congressional District 5 candidate visits Salida". [[The Mountain Mail]].
52. (April 6, 2012). "Unofficial Candidate List - 2012 Primary Election". Colorado Secretary of State.
53. McDermott, Cailey. (November 8, 2011). "Anderson runs for Congress". [[The Mountain Mail]].
54. Lee, Kurtis. (July 29, 2011). "Not your average Joe launches congressional campaign". [[The Denver Post]].
55. Luning, Ernest. (December 9, 2011). "Chiropractor boning up to run in 6th District". The Colorado Statesman.
56. Lee, Kurtis. (February 16, 2012). "Haney drops out after complaint". [[The Denver Post]].
57. Bartels, Lynn. (January 19, 2012). "Sen. John Morse says he's no longer interested in taking on U.S. Rep. Coffman". [[The Denver Post]].
58. Lee, Kurtis. (December 6, 2011). "Andrew Romanoff won't challenge Rep. Mike Coffman in newly competitive Colorado 6th Congressional District". [[The Denver Post]].
59. "Meet the Candidates".
60. "Current Endorsements".
61. "Candidates".
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63. Kersgaard, Scott. (January 31, 2012). "Coors launches less government, more god congressional campaign". [[The Colorado Independent]].
64. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121005211238/http://joecoors.com/img/PollingMemo.pdf OnMessage (R-Coors)]