The 2004 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 2004, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (first elected in 1992 as a Democrat and re-elected in 1998 as a Republican, having switched parties in 1995) retired instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Ken Salazar won the open seat, defeating Republican nominee Pete Coors despite Republican President George W. Bush carrying the state over John Kerry in the concurrent presidential race.
Background On March 3, 2004, incumbent Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell announced that he would not seek reelection due to health concerns, having recently been treated for prostate cancer and heartburn. Before Campbell's retirement, no prominent Democrat had entered the race, with educator Mike Miles and businessman Rutt Bridges pursuing the Democratic nomination. After Campbell's retirement, many expected popular Republican Governor Bill Owens to enter the race, however he declined to run. Campbell's retirement and Owens' decision not to run prompted a number of prominent Democrats to reexamine the race.
Democratic primary Candidates Ken Salazar, Attorney General of Colorado Mike Miles, educator
Campaign On March 10, the same day Owens announced he would not run, U.S. Congressman Mark Udall entered the race. The next day, state Attorney General Ken Salazar entered the race, leading Udall to immediately withdraw and endorse him; Udall held Colorado's other Senate seat from 2009 to 2015. Salazar lost to Mike Miles at the State nominating convention. In spite of this loss, the national Democratic Party backed Salazar with contributions from the DSCC and promotion of Salazar as the only primary candidate.
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KenSalazar MikeMiles Other UndecidedMason-DixonAugust 2004– (LV)–67%21%–12%Mason-DixonJune 15–18, 2004300 (LV)± 6.0%61%15%–24%
Results
Republican primary Candidates Pete Coors, former CEO and chairman of Coors Brewing Company Bob Schaffer, U.S. Representative
Declined Bob Beauprez, U.S. representative from Dave Liniger, real estate magnate Scott McInnis, U.S. representative from Jim Nicholson, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Jane Norton, Lieutenant Governor of Colorado
Endorsements
Campaign The two candidates got into an ideological battle, as Schaffer attacked Coors because his company had provided benefits to the partners of its gay and lesbian employees, in addition to promoting its beer in gay bars. Coors defended himself by saying that he was opposed to same-sex marriage and supported a constitutional amendment to ban it, although he noted that he supported civil unions for gay couples. According to the Rocky Mountain News, Coors described his company's pro-LGBT practices as "good business, separate from politics."
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PeteCoors BobSchaffer Other UndecidedMason-DixonAugust 2004– (LV)–45%41%–14%Tarrance Group (R)July 14–15, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%53%34%–13%Mason-DixonJune 15–18, 2004300 (LV)± 6.0%39%35%–26%
Results
Coors defeated Schaffer with 61% of the vote in the primary, with many analysts citing his high name recognition in the state as a primary factor.
General election Candidates Major Pete Coors (R), former CEO and chairman of Coors Brewing Company Ken Salazar (D), State Attorney General
Minor Douglas Campbell (C) Victor Good (Re) Finn Gotaas (I) John Harris (I) Richard Randall (L)
Campaign Pete Coors, Chairman of Coors Brewing Company, ran as a moderate conservative. However, Salazar was also a moderate and a highly popular State Attorney General. Coors is also a great-grandson of Adolph Coors, founder of the brewing company. His father is Joseph Coors, president of the company and a founding member of The Heritage Foundation. Salazar narrowly won the open seat. It was one of only two Democratic pickups in the 2004 Senate elections (Illinois was the other).
Debates Complete video of debate, October 29, 2004
Finances According to OpenSecrets, Coors gave his own campaign $1,213,657 and received individual donations of $60,550 from other Coors family members.
A state record total of over $11 million was raised during the election.
Predictions Source Ranking As of Sabato's Crystal Ball November 1, 2004
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PeteCoors (R) KenSalazar (D) Other UndecidedReuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 29 – November 1, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%44%52%1%3%SurveyUSAOctober 30–31, 2004701 (LV)± 3.8%47%51%–2%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 28–31, 2004600 (LV)± 4.0%44%52%–4%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 27–30, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%46%49%1%4%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 26–29, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%45%50%2%3%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 25–28, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%43%52%1%4%Public Opinion Strategies (R)October 25–27, 2004500 (LV)± 4.3%42%48%–4%Mason-DixonOctober 25–27, 2004625 (LV)± 4.8%46%46%1%7%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 24–27, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%42%53%1%4%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 23–26, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%43%53%–4%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 22–25, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%44%50%–6%Reuters/Zogby InternationalOctober 21–24, 2004600 (LV)± 4.1%42%51%–7%SurveyUSAOctober 18–20, 2004596 (LV)± 4.1% 50%46%3%1%Ciruli AssociatesOctober 15–19, 2004600 (RV)± 4.0%43% 47%–10%Rasmussen ReportsOctober 18, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5% 49%48%2%1%Gallup/CNN/USA TodayOctober 14–17, 2004666 (LV)± 4.0%48%49%–3%815 (RV)45%51%–4%Public Opinion Strategies (R)October 13–15, 2004400 (V)± 4.9% 45%40%6%6%SurveyUSAOctober 5–7, 2004594 (LV)± 4.1%48%48%3%1%Mason-DixonOctober 4–6, 2004630 (RV)± 4.0%44% 46%1%9%Gallup/CNN/USA TodayOctober 3–6, 2004667 (LV)± 5.0%43% 54%–3%820 (RV)± 4.0%43% 53%–4%SurveyUSASeptember 21–23, 2004625 (LV)± 4.0% 51%46%3%–Rasmussen ReportsSeptember 16, 2004500 (LV)± 4.3% 49%48%1%1%Ciruli AssociatesSeptember 14–18, 2004600 (RV)± 4.0%45% 46%–9%Tarrance Group (R)September 14–16, 2004–± 4.5%44% 46%–10%Public Opinion Strategies (R)September 12–13, 2004500 (LV)± 4.3%42% 53%1%4%Tarrance Group (R)August 24–26, 2004600 (LV)± 4.0%43% 47%–10%Rasmussen ReportsAugust 19, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%45% 49%2%4%SurveyUSAAugust 14–16, 2004618 (LV)± 4.0% 48%47%4%1%Harstad Strategic Research (D)August 2004–± 3.5%42% 48%–10%Mason-DixonJune 15–18, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%40%47%–13%Public Opinion Strategies (R)April 20–24, 2004600 (RV)–36%52%–12%Rasmussen ReportsApril 14, 2004500 (LV)± 4.3%41% 47%3%8%
Bob Schaffer vs. Ken Salazar Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BobSchaffer (R) KenSalazar (D) Other UndecidedMason-DixonJune 15–18, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%35%49%–16%Public Opinion Strategies (R)April 20–24, 2004600 (RV)–37%48%–15%Rasmussen ReportsApril 14, 2004500 (LV)± 4.3%37% 49%5%9%
Pete Coors vs. Mike Miles Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PeteCoors (R) MikeMiles (D) Other UndecidedMason-DixonJune 15–18, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%45%30%–25%
Bob Schaffer vs. Mike Miles Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BobSchaffer (R) MikeMiles (D) Other UndecidedMason-DixonJune 15–18, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%43%29%–28%
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Pueblo (largest city: Pueblo) Larimer (largest city: Fort Collins) Routt (Largest city: Steamboat Springs) Garfield (largest municipality: Glenwood Springs) Eagle (largest municipality: Edwards) Summit (largest municipality: Breckenridge) Jefferson (largest city: Lakewood) Clear Creek (largest city: Idaho Springs) Gilpin (largest city: Central City) Adams (largest city: Thornton) Arapahoe (largest city: Aurora) Gunnison (Largest city: Gunnison) Lake (Largest city: Leadville) Pitkin (Largest city: Aspen) La Plata (largest municipality: Durango) San Juan (largest municipality: Silverton) Rio Grande (Largest city: Monte Vista) Archuleta (Largest city: Pagosa Springs) Mineral (Largest city: Creede) Conejos (largest municipality: Manassa) Huerfano (largest city: Walsenburg) Alamosa (largest municipality: Alamosa) Costilla (largest municipality: San Luis) Saguache (largest city: Center) Las Animas (largest city: Trinidad) Bent (Largest city: Las Animas)
See also 2004 United States Senate elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References