The line to kick Democrat U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet out of office is starting to stretch around the block with Republican Joe O’Dea adding his name to the list of contenders.
O’Dea is a financially successful businessman who owns Concrete Express Inc., and the Mile High Station and Ironworks venues.
He has his own money to launch what will most certainly be one of the most expensive primary and general elections in the country against an entrenched and vulnerable Democrat.
With control of the U.S. Senate in the balance, Chuck Schumer and friends will throw a gob of money into this race.
The growing field of Republican challengers for the June primary election win includes former Fort Collins Councilman Gino Campana; businessman Erik Aadland; Former El Paso County GOP chair Eli Bremer; former congressional candidate Peter Yu; Army veteran Juli Henry; and, state Rep. Ron Hanks.
While banging their allegedly unbiased keyboards to paint Bennet as unbeatable, the media are also working overtime to try and tarnish every Republican who dares challenge the failed presidential candidate.
The Colorado Sun went deep on O’Dea to dig up some legal campaign contributions, including $500 to Bennet a decade ago, and $500 to John Hickenlooper’s gubernatorial campaign in 2014.
Everyone makes mistakes.
O’Dea campaign consultant Jefferson Thomas told Colorado Politics:
“Joe pours concrete and gives everyone a chance,” Thomas said. “2010 Bennet wouldn’t recognize the 2021 Michael Bennet who votes with Joe Biden 100% of the time.”
The way this election media coverage is going so far, Thomas would do well to start every response to a reporter with “Joe pours concrete …”