GOP candidates try to blame state Dems for affordability crisis
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U.S. Rep Jeff Crank on the campaign trail in 2024. Photo: AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Five weeks before ballots go out to Colorado voters, the political blame game is taking a turn.
The intrigue: For Democrats, President Trump is the source of nearly all economic problems.
- For Republicans, a new scapegoat is emerging: Colorado's all-Democratic state government and its socialist-leaning members.
Why it matters: By pointing the finger at state leaders, Republicans are trying to muddy who is responsible for high gas prices, tariffs and other Trump policies.
Case in point: In last week's 5th Congressional District debate, Democratic candidate Jessica Killin blamed the Republican-led House for the affordability crisis, Medicaid cuts and more.
- Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank (R-Colorado Springs), in turn, faulted state Democrats for expanding Medicaid too broadly — a move he said necessitated health care cuts that could affect 225,000 Coloradans.
What they're saying: In his closing statement, Crank returned to the theme, saying he's working to "protect El Paso County from the crazy leftist policies we see in Denver."
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Fort Lupton) is erroneously pointing to state Democratic leaders for the high gas prices, the Colorado Sun reports.
"We know there's some impact from what's going on overseas, but we also know there's an incredibly local impact to costs," Evans said.
- The claim is mostly false because the war in Iran is the reason prices are increasing nationally.
Between the lines: Crank and other Republicans are also getting mileage out of blaming the Biden administration, saying Trump "inherited a mess."
- "You remember the price of eggs?" Crank said, touting tax cuts that he said saved the average El Paso County family $4,000. "Do you remember groceries? … They're way too high, and we still need to do more."
- Crank also tried to tie Killin to the Biden administration, pointing to her time as chief of staff to Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman.
- But Killin defended her record, saying she worked on antisemitism efforts after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.
The bottom line: Democrats are content to make this election a referendum on Trump, even as Republicans try to point the finger at state-level leaders.