Dan Baer (D) told 9News that he is leaving the Democratic U.S. Senate primary and endorsing the frontrunner, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D).
Three of the top four candidates who were running before Hickenlooper entered the race have now dropped out.
John Hickenlooper has just posted a video announcing he is suspending his presidential bid, confirming earlier reports that he would drop out.
He sidestepped whether he would seek the state’s Senate seat: “I’ve heard from so many Coloradans who want me to run for the United States Senate. They remind me how much is at stake for our country. And our state. I intend to give that some serious thought.”
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) “is in discussions about ending his presidential bid and entering the race for his state’s Republican-held Senate seat, potentially giving Democrats a strong candidate in a race they must win to have hopes of retaking the chamber in 2021,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Hickenlooper, who is mired at the bottom of public polling of the presidential race, hopped into Sen. Michael Bennet’s car on Friday night in this Northern Iowa town to discuss his impending decision, said Democrats familiar with the discussion.”
Washington Post: “As one of two dozen Democrats vying for the party nomination, Hickenlooper’s struggle to make a dent is emblematic of how difficult it is for a candidate — even a well-regarded former governor of a pivotal state — to break through in a historically large field in which being a mild-mannered 67-year-old white man hasn’t been the best selling point.”
“In 2016, the buzz around Hickenlooper was loud enough that Hillary Clinton vetted him to be her running mate. But three years later, Hickenlooper often finds himself talking to voters who have no idea who he is.”
John Hickenlooper said “the vast majority of the problem with the campaign was me,” but promised to stay in the Democratic presidential race and become a better candidate, the AP reports.
Said Hickenlooper: “Certainly the vast majority of the problem with the campaign was me not being as good of a messenger as I need to be, but you can’t switch or trade in a new candidate.”
Hickenlooper acknowledged that “there’s just a bunch of skills that don’t come naturally to me” that are essential to campaigning — “like being a really good debater, being real smooth with wealthy donors.”
Politico: “Hickenlooper announced late Monday the hiring of a new campaign manager, M.E. Smith, who managed Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey’s reelection in 2018. Smith also served as deputy campaign manager for Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, now a fellow 2020 competitor, and held the same role for Hickenlooper’s reelection for governor in 2014.”
“His spokeswoman, Lauren Hitt, later confirmed that she would be leaving the campaign, joining former campaign manager Brad Komar.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper described himself on CNN as an “extreme moderate” while arguing that special counsel Robert Mueller “laid the responsibility clearly at the doorstep of Congress.”
Said Hickenlooper: “I think we have to begin an impeachment inquiry. That doesn’t mean we’re going to impeach President Trump tomorrow, or maybe ever, but I think we do have an obligation to follow where the facts lead.”
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper told NPR that “if we don’t stand up and say that we Democrats don’t stand for socialism, we’re going to end up reelecting the worst president this country’s ever had.”
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) writes in the Wall Street Journal that he is running for president “to save capitalism.”
“Capitalism is the only economic system that can support a strong middle class, a growing economy, and innovative entrepreneurs leading global technological advancements. Yet for too many Americans, capitalism simply isn’t working.”
“If everyone yells at Trump, he wins. You have to laugh at him and joke along and say, ‘Hey, this is what I did.’”
— Former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), who kicked off his presidential campaign today, quoted by the Washington Post.
“John Hickenlooper, who served two terms as governor of Colorado, announced Monday that he is running for president, touting his accomplishments in a state that moved to the left during his time in office,” the Washington Post reports.
“As governor, Hickenlooper presided over steady economic growth, the legalization of marijuana — which he initially opposed — and a surge that put Democrats in full control of a once-conservative state.”
ABC News: Everything you need to know about John Hickenlooper.
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) “is close to a decision about a 2020 presidential bid, with the campaign eyeing an announcement in Denver as soon as next week,” the Denver Post reports.
“The former Colorado governor received a permit to hold an event March 7 in the amphitheater at Civic Center park… The disclosure comes a day after The Sun cited several sources close to the Democrat who said that he would announce a bid the first week of March.”
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) told the Iowa Starting Line that he would not run on the same ticket as former Gov. John Kasich (R), as some had speculated.
Said Hickenlooper: “No we’re never going to run together. The guy doesn’t support Planned Parenthood, I’m sorry.”
Denver Post: “John Hickenlooper, the two-term governor who finished his term earlier this month, articulated his vision of governing that is based more on consensus building and less on conflict. At a house party in this Des Moines suburb, he also shared his personal and political biography while answering questions about health care, immigration and abortion rights.”
Said Hickenlooper: “I’m not just frustrated — I’m over-the-top angry about what’s happened to the country in such a short period of time.”
He added: “I don’t think there is anyone else that can reliably — as I can — beat Donald Trump. My whole public life has been about bringing people together.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) told CNN that he is “past 50-50” when it comes to the odds of him making a White House bid in 2020.
Said Hickenlooper: “I’d say we’re past 50-50. I think we’re probably 63, 64 percent.”
He added: “We’re seeing all kinds of evidence that the Trump presidency isn’t succeeding. It’s not taking America where it needs to go. It certainly isn’t fulfilling his promises to the rural parts of America.”
“Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and his allies are taking new steps toward launching a presidential campaign, including interviews with dozens of potential staffers and hiring a pollster and national fundraiser,” the AP reports.
“He’s already launched a political action committee that allows him to raise money nationally and hired his 2014 campaign manager, Brad Komar, to run it.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) said that he is “leaning strongly” toward a White House bid during a trip to New Hampshire, The Hill reports.
Said Hickenlooper: “I’m the governor of Colorado and I’m gonna run for president.”
He quickly added that he hasn’t “made a final decision” and that he’s “leaning strongly” toward a White House run, but said “if I say I’m absolutely doing it then there are all kinds of legal ramifications.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) took a significant step toward a potential presidential run in 2020 by forming a political committee that will allow him to boost his national profile, the Colorado Sun reports.
“The term-limited Democrat created a federal leadership PAC called Giddy Upthat can collect as much as $5,000 a year from donors — money that he can use to cover his political travel, develop policy proposals and donate to other candidates.”
Taegan Goddard
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.
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