Udall, Gardner To Debate In Key US Senate Race
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A Colorado U.S. Senate race that can decide control of the chamber in November will be in the spotlight Saturday as incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Udall and Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner meet for their first debate.
The high-stakes race is Udall's first re-election bid after taking office in 2008 during a banner year for his party. Gardner has long been considered a rising star in the GOP, and his entry into the race this year catapulted the contest into one of most competitive in the nation.
Both parties have spent millions on the race in this swing state, and when the contest is decided it could be the most expensive Senate race in Colorado history.
Republicans need to net six Senate seats in November to win control of the chamber. Most polls show Gardner tied with Udall.
The candidates are debating Saturday evening in Grand Junction at an event hosted by Club 20, an influential western Colorado advocacy group. The group is also hosting state legislative debates and the first debate between Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and his Republican challenger, former Congressman Bob Beauprez.
Republicans hope a Gardner victory signals a sea change in Colorado, where Democrats have won most major statewide races since 2004.
Democrats are seeking to paint Gardner as being against reproductive rights and the environment, while Republicans are honing in on Udall's support of the country's health care overhaul and tie him as much as possible to President Barack Obama and his low approval ratings.
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