Republican Primary for US Senate:
Jane Norton vs. Ken Buck

Republican Assembly Results for US Senate:

Robert Greenheck: 2%
Cleve Tidwell: 15%
Steve Barton: 1%
Ken Buck: 77%
Jane Norton: did not participate

Ken Buck dominated the Republican Assembly, but still faced tough odds heading into the Primary Election. Former Colorado Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton petitioned onto the ballot due to the crowded field of candidates. Those attending the Assembly need to garner 30% of the delegate vote to get onto the Primary ballot outright, and need at least 10% to petition on. By skipping the GOP Assembly, Norton was able to begin the petition process early, guaranteeing herself a spot on the ballot.

History

Jane Norton is an established Republican candidate with strong ties to Washington, DC and has used that advantage to generate a strong fundraising edge. Norton’s name recognition is also considerably higher than Buck’s as a result of her time as Lieutenant Governor under Colorado’s last Republican Governor, Bill Owens.

Buck is the current Weld County District Attorney and an Ex-Congressional Aide. His landslide victory at the Colorado GOP Convention was largely a result of Norton’s absence, although Ken was favored to win the top line on the Primary Ballot regardless. Buck has gained ground on Norton every month this year as his name recognition has grown within the GOP base, and he has also been able to draw strong support from the TEA Party.

Polling

Buck trailed Norton by 9 points in polling at the beginning of the year, but made up 4-5 points by April. Now Buck has jumped out to a 16-point lead 53% to 37% in the Denver Post’s latest poll. No new polling has been completed since the race got testy with a back-and-forth argument centered around the candidates’ shoes of choice, but Norton has dedicated a new intro to her website to the controversy in hopes of regaining ground.

Both candidates stack up favorably in a statewide race versus either Democrat. Buck enjoys a slight General Election edge compared to Democrat Andrew Romanoff and Democratic Incumbent Michael Bennet.  The Democratic Primary debate has centered around a more traditional dispute about campaign finance.

SEE A PREVIEW OF THE DEMOCRATIC RACE FOR US SENATE

SEE A PREVIEW OF THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR GOVERNOR

SEE A PREVIEW OF THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR STATE TREASURER