The Denver Post endorsed Rep. Cory Gardner (R., Colo.) on Friday, criticizing Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Udall for running an "obnoxious one-issue campaign."
The editorial board, which twice endorsed President Barack Obama, praised Gardner’s leadership skills and expressed optimism that a Republican controlled Senate would accomplish more than the status quo:
Congress is hardly functioning these days. It can't pass legislation that is controversial and it often can't even pass legislation on which there is broad agreement. Its reputation is abysmal, and even its members rarely dispute the popular indictment.
It needs fresh leadership, energy and ideas, and Cory Gardner can help provide them in the U.S. Senate.
In every position the Yuma Republican has held over the years — from the state legislature to U.S. House of Representatives — he has quickly become someone to be reckoned with and whose words carry weight.
The Denver Post said Gardner is not a "political time-server interested only in professional security," and sharply criticized Udall’s campaign for obsessing over social issues.
"Rather than run on his record, Udall's campaign has devoted a shocking amount of energy and money trying to convince voters that Gardner seeks to outlaw birth control despite the congressman's call for over-the-counter sales of contraceptives," the editorial board said. "Udall is trying to frighten voters rather than inspire them with a hopeful vision. His obnoxious one-issue campaign is an insult to those he seeks to convince."
"And contrary to Udall's tedious refrain, Gardner's election would pose no threat to abortion rights," they added.
The paper also argued that if the Senate flipped to Republicans, government has a better chance of being more productive.
"By contrast, we can be sure of what will happen in the next two years on issues such as immigration, tax reform, entitlement reform and military spending if the status quo persists: little to nothing," they said.