In a refreshingly blunt endorsement of a candidate based on realistic expectations, The Gazette has chosen Republican Jeff Hurd over Democrat Adam Frisch for Congress in the 3rd District.

The editorial board explains:

Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District needs a congressman from the region, who understands the unique and difficult challenges of rural, working-class life. It does not need a New York currency trader — drowning in out-of-state donations — transplanted to live among Aspen’s glitterati.

Frisch is hopelessly out of step with Western Slope values and southern state issues while Colorado native Hurd has shown a more genuine connection and understanding of critical issues like affordability of … pretty much everything.

More from the endorsement:

Name the topic, and Frisch sounds like someone in an artificial world far removed from farming, ranching, mining and traditional labor. Hurd sounds like someone involved with all the above.

Urban interests and politicians have neglected and abused rural Colorado for too long. More than ever, the Third needs someone who fully understands the unique and complex challenges of life in Pueblo and throughout the Western Slope.

Hurd — who has made a career of defending rural, working Coloradans — is the right person at just the right time.

Democrats have poured a jaw-dropping $17.3 million into this race and Frisch still had $1.3 million cash on hand as of Oct. 16.

Hurd has raised $2.4 million and has over $312,000 left to finish the race.

Keep that in mind when reading all the media headlines about how Republicans are the party of the rich.