Republicans are playing a lot of defense in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate this year, but conservative Darryl Glenn is making the race in Colorado closer than many expected and he says a close inspection of him and the incumbent Democrat will lead to voters electing him next month.
Glenn, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and current El Paso County commissioner. Bennet was appointed to the seat in 2009 and won another six years in the 2010 election. Glenn says his state and our nation stand at a critical moment. Polls show Bennet usually ahead but the margins vary wildly.
“It’s time for us to lead and I’m the guy to do it,” said Glenn.
He says Bennet’s record is clear and it has made America weaker.
“There’s some key issues where Michael Bennet is on the wrong side. When you start thinking about the Iran nuclear deal and the Affordable Care Act, these are two major things that Michael Bennet has supported with the administration. When you’re out talking to people in Colorado, that’s completely out of step with what’s going on out here,” said Glenn.
“When you look at the Affordable Care Act and what that’s doing to insurance premiums here in Colorado, people are angry and upset. He is personally responsible for that,” added Glenn, referring to Bennet casting the tie-breaking vote in favor the Senate legislation in late 2009.
Glenn and Bennet have met in just one debate. Bennet has canceled appearances since then and Glenn says it’s because the senator can’t defend his record.
“I got him to admit that even with all the information out there that he would still support the Iran nuclear deal and he would still support the Affordable Care Act,” said Glenn. “When I held him accountable and he didn’t receive a positive reaction, he’s been cancelling debates. He’s been running away from his record faster than Usain Bolt in the Olympics.”
Glenn says a fundamental difference in this race is who the two candidates are committed to serving. He says Bennet does whatever the Democrats need him to do.
“Michael Bennet is more concerned with carrying the administration’s water, when you think about voting in lock-step with President Obama. If Hillary Clinton gets in there, which we are absolutely fighting against, he would do the exact same thing,” said Glenn.
He maintains that his commitment will be to his constituents.
“I’m willing to work with anyone who wants to put country first. I have a track record of going out and talking to my constituents and then standing up and representing them. That’s what people want. They want somebody that’s actually going to do their job and understand their responsibilities under the Constitution and stand up and represent them,” said Glenn.
Several key issues are near and dear to Glenn, beginning with national security.
“I’ll absolutely be focusing in on the defense of this nation and making sure that our men and women have the proper tools, training and equipment to do their jobs, that they have clear rules of engagement and, in the event that something happens to them, that we have a VA system that actually works,” said Glenn.
He says energy is another issue he is passionate about and impacts his state a great deal.
“We support all forms of energy, but the market needs to be able to dictate it and we should not pick winners and losers. You’ve got the president and Michael Bennet and even our governor (Democrat John Hickenlooper) declaring war on our coal industry and it’s really having a traumatic impact,” said Glenn.
Glenn says Obamacare is also wreaking havoc on Colorado families.
“Two hundred fifty thousand Coloradans have lost their insurance. A lot of them are looking at a premium increase of between 20-40 percent. This is having a tremendous impact,” said Glenn.
He also backs a balanced budget amendment, federal term limits, and tax reform that lowers personal and corporate income reform.
Glenn is also an unabashed social conservative.
“I’m a strong man of faith,” he said. “My battle cry is I’m an unapologetic Christian, constitutional, conservative, pro-life, second amendment-loving American. I say that to remind people that you have a first amendment right to be bold and brave. We’re living under an administration that has been suppressing that right. A lot of people have fought and died for us to have that right. We should all be proud of who and what we are,” said Glenn.
While Colorado is often seen as trending Democratic, Glenn says voters there are independent thinkers who expect you to work for their votes. And that includes reaching out to constituencies like black voters, who he says Republicans often give up on and Democrats take for granted.
Glenn, who is also black, says he’s actively appealing to those communities.
“We have been going into under-served communities and talking with them about true issues that are impacting their daily lives,” he said.
“When start thinking about education, this is a winning issue for us. In my campaign, we absolutely stand up for choice and vouchers because that’s the number one equalizer,” said Glenn. “In the Denver metro area, one in five people of color are unemployed or under-employed and the people they’ve been supporting have been exacerbating that problem.”
While some GOP Senate hopefuls are either refusing to endorse presidential nominee Donald Trump or doing so very reluctantly, Glenn says he is behind Trump because America cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. And he says conservatives ought to get on board.
“Granted, your guy may not be at the top of the ticket, but we need to realize that we’re down to two choices. We must come together and put the country first and look at the fact that this is a generational decision. If Hillary Clinton is in there, if you are concerned about your second amendment rights or religious liberty, we’re going to be going in the wrong direction if she’s there,” said Glenn.
Nonetheless, he expects and wants Colorado voters to see the U.S. Senate race separate from the Trump-Clinton scrum.
“I want people to focus in my record and what I can do, from a leadership standpoint, and Michael Bennet’s record,” said Glenn.
