Colorado voters don't like Trump, but like Cory Gardner even less

A mere 37% of Colorado voters have a favorable opinion of Donald Trump, according to a new poll from Keating Research. Even fewer Coloradans, however — just 33% — have a favorable opinion of the state’s Republican senator, Cory Gardner.

Gardner’s favorability actually decreased compared to a poll by the same company in October. At that time, his approval rating was around 34%.

Gardner is up for reelection in 2020 and is considered one of the most vulnerable senators in the country.

He has increasingly tied himself to Trump, even as Colorado has voted more consistently for liberal politicians. In January, Gardner wholeheartedly endorsed Trump’s reelection campaign, weeks after voters in Colorado elected Democrats to every statewide office and gave Democrats complete control of the state legislature.

Gardner has consistently voted with Trump on even the most controversial issues, including giving his support to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced multiple credible allegations of sexual assault in the midst of his confirmation process. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.

Gardner also supported a Republican health care bill that would have stripped protections for millions of Americans with preexisting conditions.

More recently, Gardner voted to allow Trump to siphon $8 million allocated to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs to build his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Senator Cory Gardner has earned his record-low favorability by refusing to address priorities like the rising cost of prescription drugs and protecting access to affordable health care,” Alyssa Roberts, spokesperson for the Colorado Democratic Party, said in an email about the most recent poll.

“Instead of being an independent voice for Colorado, Gardner has sealed his fate by caving to his wealthy donors and implementing President Trump’s reckless agenda.”

Gardner joins Maine Sen. Susan Collins as one of two Republican senators who trail Trump in statewide polls. An October poll showed 42% of Maine voters approved of Trump, while only 35% approved of Collins.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Democrats are targeting Collins and Gardner, as well as Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) in an attempt to regain the majority. Democrats are also eyeing Texas and Georgia as states where the party could pick up additional seats.

Republicans, meanwhile, hope to wrest control of the Alabama senate seat currently occupied by Democrat Sen. Doug Jones, as well as hold on to enough other seats to maintain a majority.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.