LITTLETON — Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, lent his support to Bob Beauprez’s effort to unseat Gov. John Hickenlooper at a rally at Heritage High School on Monday.
After saying incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper “stands out as indecisive,” Romney assured the audience that filled the gym floor that Beauprez stood in contrast.
PHOTOS: View more images of Mitt Romney’s visit to Denver.
“The people of Colorado are going to have to do the absolute right thing and elect a person who knows how to make a decision and do the right thing for the people of Colorado,” Romney said. “And that’s Bob Beauprez.”
The Hickenlooper campaign responded to Romney’s assertion after the rally.
“John’s style of leadership brings unlikely partners together to find solutions, which is one of the reasons why, despite 13 federally declared natural disasters, Colorado’s unemployment rate has dropped from 9.1 percent to 5.1 percent in the last four years,” said Hickenlooper’s campaign spokesman, Eddie Stern. “John believes Colorado is stronger when we work together, not when we tear each other down.”
Beauprez repeated his vows to curb regulations on business, improve third-grade reading scores, and improve public safety “by keeping the right folks in jail.”
“We’re going to become that great opportunity state again,” Beauprez told the fired-up crowd.
In 2012 in Colorado, Romney lost to President Barack Obama, 51.1 percent to 46.5 percent.
Colorado Republican Party chairman Ryan Call argued that Romney is a campaign draw because voters see the result of their vote in Obama’s second term.
“It’s an asset,” Call said. “As people have seen the failed leadership and the impact of Democrats’ failed policies, a lot of people regret that vote, I think.”
State Democratic chairman Rick Palacio said Romney’s position on strict immigration policies should turn off Colorado voters.
“Romney’s immigration policies torpedoed his campaign in Colorado, yet Colorado Republican candidates are taking the same approach,” he said.
Beauprez was joined by his running mate, Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella, as well as other Republican candidates: Rep. Cory Gardner in the U.S. Senate race; Rep. Mike Coffman, who is up for re-election in the 6th Congressional District; Cynthia Coffman, a candidate for Colorado attorney general; secretary of state candidate Wayne Williams; and Don Ytterberg, a candidate in the 7th Congressional District.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174, jbunch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joeybunch
