Trump Watch: Some CO Republicans Are Still Hiding Their Stance on the Prez; Some Aren’t

I have yet to find a single Republican state lawmaker or candidate for state office in Colorado who’s said they won’t vote for Trump.  

But even though Trump is arguably the most import topic of the upcoming election, some Republicans—while not denouncing Trump—are refusing to say publicly if they are on the Trump train, apparently believing that if they do so, it will scare away voters in competitive districts.

When Trump was first elected in 2016, some Colorado Republicans stood up and opposed him. Even the now-Trump-loving leader of the Colorado Republican Party, U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, was once a never-Trumper. U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) didn’t vote for Trump, writing in Mike Pence instead.

But now Colorado Republicans have liked what they’ve seen during the past four years and have lined up behind the president.

But what’s up with the Republicans who won’t tell us where they stand on Trump?

The ones who are hiding their position on Trump, like state Sen. Kevin Priola of Adams County and state Senate candidate Suzanne Staiert of Arapahoe County, are running in competitive districts where Trump-hating younger, unaffiliated, and/or suburban voters could turn against candidates who support the president, according to multiple polls by the Republican-leaning pollster Magellan Strategies.

Below is list of Republicans in key races—and where they stand on Trump, if their position is known.

If you’re wondering about Democrats, I could find none who are refusing to say where they stand on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. They all support him.

I’ll be updating this post before the election. Please send missing information and updates to tips @ coloradotimesrecorder.com.

Candidates in Key Races Who Won’t Say if They Back Trump

Vanessa Warren-DeMott (House District 25, suburbs west of Denver). DeMott didn’t return a call seeking to know her stance on Trump.

Caroline Cornell (House District 37, Centennial area). Asked by CTR if she supports Trump, Cornell hung up the phone after saying, “I’m—I don’t—I’m afraid I have to get on another call right now. I’ll have to call you back.”   

Lynn Gerber (Senate District 19, Jefferson County). Gerber didn’t return a call seeking to know her stance on Trump.

Richard Murray (University of Colorado Regent, Aurora area). “I don’t want to comment on the president,” Murray has said.

Vicki Pyne (House District 27, Arvada). Pyne didn’t return a call seeking to know her stance on Trump.

Kevin Priola (Senate District 25, Adams County). Priola did not return a call from the Colorado Times Recorder seeking his position on Trump. He “doesn’t want to talk about Trump,” according to The Denver Post.

Don Rosier (House District 37, Littleton/Evergreen). Rosier didn’t return a call seeking to know his stance on Trump.

Suzanne Staiert (Senate District 27, Arapahoe County). Staiert declined to tell the Colorado Times Recorder if she supports Trump, saying she’s “never been asked” the question by people during current the campaign.

GOP Office Holders in Key Races Backing Trump

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner. (Gardner once called Trump a “buffoon” and then said in 2016 he’d vote for him (after being asked seven times). Gardner eventually said he wouldn’t cast a ballot for Trump and voted for Pence. Now, he’s endorsed Trump.)

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck. (Buck led the “Never Trump” opposition at the 2016 Republican National Convention, before eventually accepting Trump as the nominee. He’s since become a fervent supporter.)

U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn. Co-chair of Trump’s Colorado re-election campaign.

State Sen. Bob Rankin (Senate District 8, Northwester Colorado). Rankin was an early Trump suppert, endorsing him at a time when many Colorado Republicans were uncertain about the mogul.

Republican Legislative or Congressional Candidates Backing Trump

Congressional candidate Lauren Boebert (facing Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush)

Congressional candidate Steve House (challenging U.S. Rep. Jason Crow)

Congressional candidate Casper Stockham (challenging U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter)

Robert Blanken (House District 17, Colorado Springs). “As a Republican, I strongly support Donald Trump,” Blanken told the Colorado Times Recorder Monday, adding that the president “has made some errors in the ways he communicates” and Trump may have wanted rephrase or refrain from even discussing certain issues.” “I think he’s done a wonderful job,” he said.

Richard Champion (House District 38, Arapahoe County). Promoted his support of Trump during the campaign.

Marilyn Harris (House District 59, southern Colorado). Considered it a “great honor” to vote for Trump.

Bob Roth (Senate District 26, Arapahoe County). Says he supports the president.

Select Former GOP Officials Opposing Trump

Former leader of the Colorado Republican Party Ryan Call.

Former state House GOP Minority Leader Rep. Cole Wist.

Former state Rep. Victor Mitchell. “Donald Trump is a despicable human being,” Mitchell told the Colorado Times Recorder.

Former Elected Officials Backing Trump

Former CO Secretary of State Wayne Williams