Colorado Senate
John Hickenlooper (D) holds this seat and is running again. 6 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Democratic.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
John Hickenlooper
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 34 of 83 votes and bills.
Raised $9,529,277 since January 2025: 70% from people, 18% transfers and other income, 11% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Mark Baisley
Republican · colorado state senator, former aerospace engineer
B+Liberty Score B+89 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Baisley has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Baisley.
Raised $138,210 since January 2025: 98% from people, 2% the candidate’s own money, 1% from the party. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mark Baisley. Mark Baisley: B+, 89 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. John Hickenlooper: F, 40 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in Colorado: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Mark Baisley, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Baisley, so the grade above comes from this list: what Baisley has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Asked how the president has handled the war with the Islamic Republic, he praised the administration for standing up to the regime.
“We've been at war with Iran for at least 47 years, although we have not been participating in that war. They've just been attacking us over and over and over. I appreciate that this administration has stood up to the international bullies.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American military action against the regime in Tehran is the with side of this measure.
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He said the US should give Ukraine more aid with conditions and supply the weapons that keep Russia from taking it over.
“But I do think that we should supply Ukraine with the weapons that keep them from being taken over by Russia because I think that would be bad for everybody.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing weapons for Ukraine against Putin is the with side of this measure.
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Asked whether the US should give Israel more aid and whether it should carry conditions, he said yes to both.
“Yes and yes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
More aid is the with side and conditions on it lean the other way, so together the words do not settle the measure.
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He said he regretted but trusted the president's deal to buy Russian diesel to lower fuel prices.
“I'm going to trust that the president is making a wise decision in the long run.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Accepting a fuel deal with Russia is not the same as opposing aid to Ukraine or excusing Russia, so the words do not settle the measure.
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His campaign site says he will work to cut federal taxes and roll back regulations.
“in the United States Senate, he will fight to cut federal taxes, roll back job-killing regulations, restore American energy dominance”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Lower taxes with the tax named (federal) and less regulation are the with side of this measure.
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Asked about the tariffs, he said he generally favours them and wants tariffs to replace the income tax.
“I would like to see tariffs replace income tax.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Broad tariffs are against liberty by this test, even when offered in place of another tax.
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In a debate he said the economy does better when government is smaller.
“our economy will cook when our government is smaller”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Smaller government and fewer barriers to commerce are the with side of this measure.
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In a debate he argued health care should be left to market forces, against government-run coverage.
“health care is just no exception to the free market forces”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting government-run health care for all is the with side of this measure.
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He voted no on the final Colorado Senate passage of HB25-1312, which added legal protections based on gender identity, including on chosen names.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Voting against a gender self-identification mandate is the with side of this measure.
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Asked whether anyone living in the US illegally should be permitted to stay, he answered no.
“No. We should not be the relief valve for all the dysfunctional countries around the world.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Refusing amnesty or legal status for people here illegally is the with side of this measure.
Also on the ballot
Christopher Baum (Approval Voting), Bob Chew (Forward), Blake Huber (Libertarian), Adam Withrow (Unity).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Colorado Senate
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