Hickenlooper ends presidential bid, considering U.S. Senate run in Colorado

[brooklynite]

Source: Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper Thursday officially ended a presidential campaign that never got off the ground and said that he is seriously considering a run against Republican Sen. Cory Gardner.

“Today, I’m ending my campaign for president. But I will never stop believing that America can only move forward when we work together,” he said in a video message explaining his decision and thanking supporters. “People want to know what comes next for me. 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.”

A quirky businessman-turned-politician who failed to stand out in the crowded Democratic presidential primary field, Hickenlooper would be an immediate front-runner in another crowded field of Democratic Senate hopefuls eager to challenge Gardner, one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents seeking reelection next year in a state where President Trump is deeply unpopular.

For months as Hickenlooper struggled to gain traction and raise money as a presidential candidate, he batted away questions about why he was running for president instead of challenging Gardner, saying at one point that he is “not cut out to be” a U.S. senator and repeatedly insisting that his skill set as an executive was a poor fit for a more deliberative role in Congress.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-08-14/john-hickenlooper-quits-presidential-race-for-senate-run

[mitch96]

1. "considering U.S. Senate run "

I think this is a great idea. All the prez hopefuls have a lot to offer. Running for senate would do more than just disappearing b/c you can't be the head honcho...
m

[brooklynite]

2. The background music in his withdrawal announcement video says he's more than "considering"

[gldstwmn]

5. He will run against Gardner and win.

This is very good news.

[lagomorph777]

6. +1 Yes he should run for Senate

[Mike_DuBois]

3. I'm a bit disappointed

I was rather warming up to him.

[Midnight Writer]

4. Hickenlooper is popular in Colorado, and Cory Gardner is in jeopardy. Good move for our country.

[maxsolomon]

7. Never should have run for President.

Should have declared for Senate in the 1st place.

Now he's open to "Senator's just your backup plan" accusations. Gardner's probably got the ads in the can already.

[mitch96]

9. "Never should have run for President."

I think it was good he got a lot of exposure that he might not have gotten otherwise.. Every little bit helps..
m

[radius777]

11. Exactly. Now he's a national figure

who can 'stand up for Colorado values in the Senate' or whatever he wants to run on.

He should win easy, being a popular ex governor.

Dems need this seat, the easier the better, so money can be spent on tougher races.

[JI7]

10. he is wayyyy ahead of Gardner in polls plus he was a successful Governor

[maxsolomon]

12. Good. I'm just laying out what I think will be Gardner's line of attack.

Republicans, being rat bastards one and all, will use his Presidential candidacy to argue that Senate is his 2nd choice, his fallback plan. I'd be shocked if they don't.

[LogicFirst]

8. His best move is

to win a Senate seat. I wish him good luck.