Colorado's largest newspaper on Friday endorsed incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Coffman in a competitive congressional race.
The Denver Post chose to support Coffman over his Democratic opponent, Jason Crow, in Colorado's 6th Congressional District.
"Voters in the 6th Congressional District would be wise and just to reward Coffman with another two years in office so he can continue the good fight he has mounted on Capitol Hill despite the failings of his party," the newspaper's editorial board wrote.
Coffman "represents the kind of thoughtful leadership and independent voting that we wish all members of Congress exhibited in these trying times," the board added.
The Post praised Coffman's move to the center as the district has transformed to include more minority voters.
"He told us it has not only made him a better congressman but also a better person. We believe him," the board wrote. "It'd be impossible for someone to fake the level of dedication Coffman has shown to helping his constituents."
Acknowledging that Coffman is conservative, the Post wrote that "he has a big heart" for those in the district struggling with immigration issues, financial challenges, finding health insurance due to preexisting conditions, or reliance on Medicaid because of a disability.
Coffman also "learned Spanish; spends time in the mosques in the district; fights for human rights in Ethiopia; [and] introduced legislation to forestall the deportation of El Salvadorans and others when [President Donald] Trump revoked their temporary protected status."
"These are not normal times," the Post concluded, "and we are sympathetic to the temptation to cast a vote against Trump this election by punishing every Republican on the ballot. But Coffman is not a normal politician, either."
The Cook Political Report rates the race in Colorado's 6th District as "leaning" toward Crow.