Jefferson County A Swing County That Could Hold Key To U.S. Power Balance
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) – Jefferson County could hold the key to the balance of political power, not only in Colorado, but in the nation's capital.
Jefferson County has picked the winner in every U.S. Senate, gubernatorial and presidential race for the last 14 years, and this year the stakes are high.
Colorado's U.S. Senate race is among the tightest in the country, and three state Senate seats are up for grabs in Jefferson County. So far, voter turnout in Jefferson County is the highest in the state.
Democrats brought in a big gun – Bill Clinton -- to make their case in what is arguably the biggest battleground in the state. Jefferson County has twice gone for Barack Obama, but these days former president Bill Clinton is more popular than the current president in Jefferson County.
"Whether you support or oppose the president, he has to leave in two years," Clinton told the crowd in Jefferson County while stumping for Sen. Mark Udall. "The only thing that makes sense is for us to think about the future and to build it together with John Hickenlooper and Mark Udall."
For decades, Jefferson County -- a mix of urban suburbs and mountain towns -- has played a key role in deciding races, with an electorate that mirrors the state -- a third Democrat, third Republican, and third unaffiliated. The swing vote in the swing county is women, and there have been relentless ads aimed at the female vote.
"I'm just am very sick of this one-issue campaign. You know, it's about women and abortion – is all I hear," a woman in Jefferson County said.
But maybe the biggest issue driving turnout isn't even on the ballot.
"I think the schools are a big issue," a man said.
As evidence that all politics is local, a battle between the school board and teachers union has voters taking their frustration out on conservatives and progressives who are on the ballot.
"We realize that changes can be made and that we actually need to vote in order for our voices to be heard," another Jefferson County resident said.
Elections do have consequence, and this year control of the U.S. Senate and state Senate may come down to Jefferson County.
"I don't think anybody waited around for the next commercial to say, 'Now I know who I'm going to vote for,' " a woman said.
Approximately 20,000 more people have voted in Jefferson County this year than in Arapahoe, El Paso and Denver counties.
