DU Professor Joins Colorado’s US Senate Primary

Patrick Semansky/AP Photo
Lights shine on the U.S. Capitol dome, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.

Another Democratic candidate has joined Colorado's crowded U.S. Senate race.

Dave Goldfischer, an associate professor at the University of Denver, said on Tuesday that he will compete in the Democratic primary.

Goldfischer, a first-time candidate, teaches and does research about domestic and international security. He has done consulting work for several federal agencies, along with the state of Colorado and the city of Denver, according to his academic resume.

In his announcement, Goldfischer focused on perceived threats to democracy, including Russian interference.

“The heart of my message is that we need to stand together ... in the common defense of our democracy," the 68-year-old Denver resident said in a news release.

The announcement briefly mentioned a host of other "policy challenges," including climate change, gun violence, immigration and the need to make billionaires "pay their fair share of taxes," without offering specific plans.

David Goldfischer

"He intends to kind of shape that part of the campaign as we roll further out," said spokesman Jacob McGuire. "But the main message is based on that threat to democracy."

Although the field has shrunk in recent months, nine Democrats are running to unseat Republican Cory Gardner in 2020, including former governor John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper's entrance drove some other candidates out of the race. Late in November, State Sen. Angela Williams became the latest to freeze her campaign.

Democrats will choose their candidate in a June 30 primary. To get on the ballot, though, candidates have to meet a signature requirement or garner enough support at party caucus meetings.

The active candidates, according to the Colorado Democratic Party, are:

  • Diana Bray
  • Lorena Garcia
  • David Goldfischer
  • John Hickenlooper
  • Christopher Milton
  • Andrew Romanoff
  • Stephany Rose Spaulding
  • Michelle Ferrigno Warren
  • Trish Zornio

Hickenlooper and Romanoff are dominating the fundraising race.

Gardner, of Yuma, is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents. He and Susan Collins of Maine are the only Republican senators up for reelection in states that Hillary Clinton won in 2016.