Across the country, local newspapers have endorsed Democratic Senate candidates because of their commitment to independence and bipartisanship, their willingness to put their states first, and their focus on the issues that matter most like expanding affordable health care and protecting pre-existing conditions coverage during a pandemic. Many newspapers threw their support behind Democratic challengers over vulnerable GOP incumbents — including some Republicans they had previously endorsed — in calls for change and new representation in Washington.
Meanwhile, GOP incumbents in numerous key battlegrounds refused to even meet with editorial board members in their states, unable to defend their records in Washington. Even more faced scathing criticism for their years of caving to President Donald Trump and special interests.
AL – Decatur Daily: Editorial: Doug Jones best choice for US Senate
AZ – Arizona Daily Star: “Mark Kelly is the best choice to serve Arizona in this election”
CO – El Semanario: Protect DACA: Vote for Hickenlooper And Biden by Nov. 3!
CO – Denver Post: Endorsement: Coloradans know John Hickenlooper — a man ready to serve us in the U.S. Senate
CO – Aurora Sentinel Colorado: EDITORIAL: Colorado knows who Gardner really is, and that we need Hickenlooper in the Senate
CO – Vail Daily: “If you’re tired of the fake ads, the fake bills, the empty promises and zero-sum politics, then the choice is clear: Vote for John Hickenlooper”
CO – Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: “Hickenlooper is the same affable politician who was a frequent visitor to the Western Slope when he was governor”
CO – Greeley Tribune: Endorsement: History of voter access gives Hickenlooper the edge for Senate seat
CO – Pueblo Chieftain: “The rebuilding of America is going to take leaders who can work with each other, not blindly follow any party or any leader… we urge Coloradans to vote for John Hickenlooper”
CO – Durango Herald: Endorsements: For U.S. Senate, only one candidate has right stance on health care
CO – Colorado Springs Indy: Hickenlooper “has problem-solving credibility that could help the party formulate and carry out smart national strategies in 2021 and beyond”
CO – Boulder Daily Camera: Hickenlooper has “proven himself to be long on substance. We believe that’s the type of representative Coloradans need, and we encourage them to vote for Hickenlooper for U.S. Senate”
CO – Aspen Daily Times: Endorsement: Hickenlooper will show up
CO – Colorado Politics: ENDORSEMENT WATCH | More newspapers abandon Gardner for Hickenlooper in US Senate race
IA – Cedar Rapids Gazette: “It’s time for a new voice in the Senate, that voice is Theresa Greenfield”
IA – Des Moines Register: “Greenfield should be given an opportunity to refocus the junior senator’s office on working Iowans”
IA – Quad City Times: “We have high hopes for Greenfield… We believe she has potential to be a good lawmaker who will represent the mainstream of Iowa and that she will work hard to make progress on the country’s most pressing problems”
IA – Sioux City Journal: “We took a risk with Ernst six years ago and, in recent years, found she wasn’t a senator for all of Iowa. Now we believe it’s time to give Theresa Greenfield a chance. We support her inclusive vision and endorse her in the race for U.S. Senate.”
IA – Dubuque Telegraph Herald: Our opinion: Greenfield merits opportunity to serve Iowa in U.S. Senate
IA – Storm Lake Times: “Greenfield will work harder and smarter, and will not forget her principles. We need a senator who will stand up for Iowa. Ernst refused to. Greenfield will.”
IA – Iowa Press Citizen: Our pick: Send Theresa Greenfield… to Congress
KS – Kansas City Star: The Star endorses a Kansas centrist who would make history in the US Senate race
KS – Wichita Eagle: The Eagle endorses U.S. Senate candidate who would put Kansas people above party
KS – Iola Register: Barbara Bollier would best represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate
ME – Portland Press Herald: Our Endorsement: Time for change in U.S. Senate
MN – Minneapolis Star Tribune: EDITORIAL | U.S. Senate endorsement: Tina Smith best reflects Minnesota values
MI – Detroit Free Press: Endorsement: Michigan needs Gary Peters. So does Washington.
MI – Michigan Daily: ”While Peters keeps his head down, passing legislation and working on behalf of his constituents, James has boasted that he is ‘2000%’ for Trump.”
MT – Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Bullock our best bet at changing Congress
MT – Missoulian: ”Bullock can be counted on to keep a steady course without swerving into cesspools. Montanans should give Gov. Steve Bullock a chance to show us what he can accomplish as our senator.”
MT – Billings Gazette: ”That combination of gumption and diplomacy would serve [Bullock] and Montana well in the Senate.”
MT – Montana Standard: “Bullock has been both a warrior and a coalition-builder, an unusual resume feature in these times.”
NH – Keene Sentinel: Sentinel Editorial: Jeanne Shaheen; NH’s senior US senator has a lot more to offer
NH – Conway Daily Sun: Shaheen’s “influence is not easy to replace and shouldn’t be”
NM – Santa Fe New Mexican: “To the race for Senate, and more importantly, if elected, Luján brings a formidable combination of experience, character and policy chops.”
NM – Taos News: Luján ”deserves the promotion… he works hard, understands New Mexico, will work on climate change, support rural residents and protect public lands and the environment.”
NM – Santa Fe Reporter: “Lujan told us… that some of his priorities should he be elected will include legislation to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that created corporate personhood; lowering prescription drug costs; addressing gun violence; and helping return the US to the Paris Agreement on climate change.”
SC – The State: “Harrison, 44, has the potential to be a transformative political figure who will represent our state in a manner that mirrors the solutions-oriented mindset of most South Carolinians — but with the energy and unifying vision that longtime incumbency is clearly stripping away from Graham.”
SC – Charleston City Paper: “It’s time to elect Orangeburg native Jaime Harrison in November to fill the seat once held by Strom Thurmond… A vote for Harrison is a vote against Graham to help restore sanity in the United States Senate.”
TX – Houston Chronicle: “We find Hegar’s mix of energy, moral clarity, and assertive pragmatism invigorating.”
TX – Beaumont Enterprise: “Hegar, a former military officer, also speaks for many of the concerns of average Texans, like protecting Obamacare and expanding Medicaid in Texas, crucial issues that Cornyn and most Republicans stubbornly oppose.”
TX – Austin American Statesman: “In our view, Hegar can shake up the status quo and act in Texans’ interests with a sense of urgency that’s regrettably missing in Congress… MJ Hegar has the potential to be a change agent.”
###
