Cory Gardner

Cory Gardner
United States Senator from Colorado
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2015 Serving with Michael Bennet
Preceded by	Mark Udall
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 4th district
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Betsy Markey
Succeeded by	Ken Buck
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 63rd district
In office June 23, 2005 – January 2, 2011
Preceded by	Greg Brophy
Succeeded by	Jon Becker
Personal details
Born	Cory Scott Gardner August 22, 1974 Yuma, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jaime Gardner
Children	3
Residence	Yuma, Colorado[1]
Alma mater	Colorado State University University of Colorado Law School
Religion	Lutheranism – Missouri Synod
Website	Senate website Campaign website

Cory Scott Gardner^[2] (born August 22, 1974) is an American politician who is the junior United States Senator from Colorado. He is a Republican and was previously the U.S. Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district. Prior to that, he was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.

Gardner announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in March 2014, quickly clearing the Republican primary field,^[3] and defeated Democratic incumbent Mark Udall in the November 2014 race.^[4]

Early life, education, and early political career

Gardner was born on August 22, 1974 in Yuma, Colorado,^[5] the son of Cindy L. (née Pagel) and John W. Gardner. His ancestry includes Irish, German, Austrian, and English.^[6] He graduated summa cum laude from Colorado State University with a B.A. in political science in 1997.^[7] In college, Gardner switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party^[8] and interned at the Colorado State Capitol.^[9] He went to law school at the University of Colorado to earn his Juris Doctor in 2001.^[7] Gardner served as General Counsel and Legislative Director for former U.S. Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado from 2002 to 2005.^[7][10]

Colorado House of Representatives

Elections

Gardner was appointed to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2005 and elected to a full term in 2006. He represented District 63 in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2005 through 2011.^[10]

Tenure

Gardner proposed legislation in 2006 that would set aside money in a rainy-day fund that would help protect the state from future economic downturns. His proposal relied on Referendum C money for future budget emergencies.^[11] He staunchly opposed any tax increases. He helped create the Colorado Clean Energy Development Authority, which issued bonds to finance projects that involve the production, transportation and storage of clean energy until it was repealed in 2012.^[12][13]

In June 2006, he called on Republican Governor Bill Owens to call a special session addressing the issue of illegal immigration.^[14]

In 2006, Gardner opposed legislation to allow pharmacists to prescribe emergency contraception,^[15] and offered an amendment to the budget to prohibit the state Medicaid plan from purchasing Plan B emergency contraception.^[16] In 2007, Gardner voted against a bill requiring hospitals to inform survivors of a sexual assault of the availability of emergency contraception.^[17][18]

The Denver Post hailed Gardner as “the GOP Idea Man”. He was named one of the Top 40 young Republican lawmakers by the magazine Rising Tide. He became House Minority Whip in January 2007.^[19]

Committee assignments

• House Education Committee^[20][21]
• House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
• Legislative Council^[22]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

Gardner won the Republican primary in the 4th Congressional District to challenge Democratic incumbent Betsy Markey. Also running were American Constitution Party nominee Doug Aden and Independent Ken "Wasko" Waszkiewicz. In an early September poll, Gardner was up 50% to 39% over Markey.^[23]

Gardner was named one of the GOP Young Guns. He was endorsed by former U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo.^[24] On November 2, 2010, Gardner defeated Markey, 52%–41%.

2012

Gardner ran unopposed in the Republican primary before going on to defeat Democratic nominee Brandon Shaffer 59%–37% in the general election.^[25]

Tenure

Energy and environmental issues

Shortly after taking office, Gardner introduced legislation that would speed up clean-air permits for companies engaged in offshore drilling in Alaska, which he says would create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil.^[26] The House passed Gardner's bill by a vote of 253 to 166 on June 22, 2011.^[27]

On June 6, 2013, Gardner introduced the Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2013 (H.R. 2279; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 and the Solid Waste Disposal Act.^[28] It is bill that would change the frequency of reports from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about solid waste regulations.^[29] Instead of being forced to automatically review the regulations every three years, the EPA would be able to review them on an as needed basis.^[30] It would also grant precedence to state requirements for solid waste disposal when creating new federal requirements.^[29]

On March 6, 2014, Gardner introduced the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act (H.R. 6; 113th Congress), a bill that would direct the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to issue a decision on an application for authorization to export natural gas within 90 days after the later of: (1) the end of the comment period for that decision as set forth in the Federal Register, or (2) the date of enactment of this Act.^[31]

Gardner has stated that he believes climate change is occurring, but he is unsure whether humans are causing it.^[32][33][34]

Gardner supports construction of the Keystone Pipeline. He is pro-fracking.^[35]

Economic issues

In March 2011, Gardner introduced bipartisan legislation that would require congressional committees to hold hearings on programs that are deemed duplicative by a U.S. Government Accountability Office report. Gardner has said he believes such a measure would reduce waste in government.^[36][37]

Gardner voted for the Ryan budget plan.^[38][39]

Gardner is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.^[40] He also strongly supports legislation which would require that the US Federal Reserve be audited.^[41]

On July 10, 2014, Gardner introduced legislation to reform the Earned Income Tax Credit program. The legislation seeks to reduce fraud in the program and dedicate the savings to increasing the credit for working families.^[42]

In August 2014, Gardner broke ranks with the Republican Party and voted against a bill that would have dismantled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.^[43] Gardner says he supports immigration reform in the form of a guest worker program and increased border security.^[44]

Health care

In 2011, he voted in support of the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act”, which states that “nothing in the Affordable Care Act shall be construed to authorize a health plan to require a provider to provide, participate in, or refer for a specific item or service contrary to the provider’s religious beliefs or moral convictions.”^[45]

At the end of 2013, Gardner announced that he would introduce a bill to prohibit executives of state healthcare exchanges from getting bonuses. According to Ripon Advance, a CEO of a state health exchange with low enrollment got a bonus, and Gardner's bill would seek to prevent that from happening.^[46]

Social issues

In 2012, Gardner was one of 33 Republicans to vote for the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA), which re-authorized the bill and expanded protections for Native Americans, immigrants, and gays.^[47]

In 2012 and 2013, Gardner co-sponsored personhood legislation titled the "Life Begins at Conception Act".^[48] Gardner later said that he changed his mind on personhood, after listening to voters.^[49] According to The Denver Post, “Gardner conceded that with his new position on personhood, he might be accused of flip-flopping simply to make himself more palatable to statewide voters.”^[50] The nonpartisan Factcheck.org said “It would be clearer to say that Gardner supports efforts to ban abortion that could also ban some forms of birth control. As for his change of position, voters in Colorado should know Gardner still supports a federal bill that would prompt the same concerns over birth control as the state measure he says he rejects on the same grounds.”^[51]

In June 2014, Gardner called for over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives and said the birth control pill would be safer and cheaper if it was available over the counter.^[52]

In response to the October 2014 announcement from the U.S. Supreme Court allowing same-sex marriage to become the law in 30 states including Colorado, Gardner reaffirmed his position that marriage should only be between a man and a woman but stated, "This issue is in the hands of the courts and we must honor their legal decisions."^[53]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Power
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Republican Study Committee

U.S. Senate

Committee assignments

• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
  • Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
  • Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
  • Subcommittee on Science and Space
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining
  • Subcommittee on Water and Power
• Committee on Foreign Relations
  • Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues
  • Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
  • Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Elections

2014

Gardner was the Republican nominee for Senate, and won against incumbent Senator Mark Udall in the general election. Gardner won by a 3% margin over Udall, with a 49% to 46% advantage. Gardner received 965,974 votes to Udall's 916,245 votes.^[4][54]

In October 2014, the Denver Post endorsed Gardner, writing that "he has emphasized economic and energy issues (and was, for example, an early supporter among Republicans of renewable energy). ... "his past views on same-sex marriage are becoming irrelevant now that the Supreme Court has let appeals court rulings stand and marriage equality appears unstoppable. And contrary to Udall's tedious refrain, Gardner's election would pose no threat to abortion rights."^[55] Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway endorsed Gardner.^[56]

No Labels performed independent get-out-the-vote efforts on behalf of its Problem Solvers, including Gardner.^[57]

Electoral history

Colorado District 63 election, 2006[58]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Cory Gardner	15,736	73%
	Democratic	Pauline Artery	5,732	27%

Colorado District 63 election, 2008[59]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Cory Gardner

References

1. "Biography". Cory Gardner, United States Senator for Colorado. Retrieved 8 April 2016. He lives in Yuma with his wife Jaime and their three children: Alyson, Thatcher, and Caitlyn.
2. "Representative Cory Scott Gardner (Cory) (R-Colorado, 4th) – Biography from". LegiStorm. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
3. "Gardner gets clear primary path in Colorado". 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
4. "REPUBLICANS UP 5 SEATS IN RACE TO CONTROL SENATE".
5. "Cory Gardner's Political Summary". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
6. "Cory Gardner ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
7. Colorado Senate: Cory Gardner (R), National Journal.
8. Murray, Sara (October 17, 2014). "GOP Senate Candidate Puts Colorado Democrats Off Balance". Wall Street Journal (New York). Retrieved October 18, 2014. He entered Colorado State University as a Democrat and switched to the Republican Party in college.
9. Kosena, Jason (2009-05-15). "Cory Gardner joins Tom Lucero in GOP bid against Betsy Markey". Colorado Statesman. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
10. "Cory Gardner (R)". Election 2012. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
11. Couch, Mark P. (January 26, 2006). "Rainy day funding bills see daylight". Denver Post. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
12. "Clean Energy Development Authority". United States Department of Energy. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
13. "Biography | Congressman Cory Gardner". Gardner.house.gov. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
14. Mangalonzo, John (June 13, 2006). "Court ruling riles solons". Journal-Advocate. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
15. Marcotte, Amanda. "Why Is This Anti-Contraception Republican in Favor of Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pills?". Slate. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
16. Couch, Mark P. (31 March 2006). "LEGISLATURE 2006 House gives OK to budget". The Denver Post. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
17. "Gardner, under fire on personhood, suggests making birth control available over the counter". Fox 31 Denver. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
18. "Senate Bill 07-690" (PDF). Retrieved 24 November 2014.
19. "United States > Colorado > CO State House > Minority Whip". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
20. Associated, The (2007-03-30). "GOP calls for House education chairman to step down over e-mail". SummitDaily.com. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
21. "NewsLibrary.com – newspaper archive, clipping service – newspapers and other news sources". Nl.newsbank.com. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
22. "Cory Gardner". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
23. Sandoval, Michael (September 2, 2010). "Gardner Leads Markey 50-39 in First Public CO-4 Poll". National Review. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
24. "Tom Tancredo Standing By Endorsement Of Cory Gardner Over ACP Candidate In CD-4". Huffington Post Denver. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
25. "OFFICIAL RESULTS". Colorado Election Results. Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
26. "House passes Gardner bill on offshore drilling". Denver Business Journal. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
27. "Rep. Gardner's Jobs and Permitting Act Passes House". 22 June 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
28. "H.R. 2279 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
29. Hattem, Julian (6 June 2013). "Bills boosting states' environmental oversight pass first hurdle". The Hill. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
30. Kasperowicz, Pete (31 December 2013). "House to start 2014 with bill curbing EPA". The Hill. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
31. "H.R. 6 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
32. "GOP civil war: A coup in Colorado". Politico. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
33. Scott, Dylan (4 September 2014). "GOP Climate Change Skeptic Touts Wind Farm Support In Colorado". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
34. Carroll, Rick (2014-08-21). "Senate candidate Cory Gardner stumps in Aspen". The Aspen Times. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
35. Restuccia, Andrew (2014-05-12). "Keystone and the Udall-Gardner race". Politico. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
36. Sherry, Allison. "Beltway Breakfast –Gardner tackles duplication, so does Udall, Bennet talks Race to the Top, GOP applauds themselves for cutting another $4 billion". The Spot. The Denver Post. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
37. "Rep. Gardner Announces Resolution to Tackle Duplicative Programs and Govt. Waste". Retrieved 17 November 2012.
38. "House Vote 277 – Passes Ryan Budget Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
39. Marcos, Cristina (2014-04-10). "Dems target House GOP Senate hopefuls after Ryan vote". The Hill. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
40. "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List" (PDF). Americans for Tax Reform. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
41. "Fed independence questioned as Republicans ramp up pressure". Reuters. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
42. "Gardner Bill Would Improve EITC Program". KRAI. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
43. Foley, Elise (1 August 2014). "House Votes To Strip Deportation Relief From Dreamers". Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
44. Siegler, Kirk (2014-08-28). "Colo. Democrats Bet On Immigration To Boost Udall's Re-Election Bid". NPR. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
45. "Gardner, under fire on personhood, suggests making birth control available over the counter". Fox 31 Denver. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
46. Martin, Aaron. "Gardner bill would curb ACA compensation". Ripon Advance. 2013-12-09 (Retrieved 2014-02-14).
47. Bartels, Lynn. "Rep. Cory Gardner is praised by Planned Parenthood?". The Denver Post. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
48. "Cory Gardner changes stance on personhood". Associated Press. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
49. "Udall hits Gardner on personhood; Gardner, GOP hit back at ‘divisive’ attacks". Fox 31 Denver. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
50. Bartels, Lynn. "Cory Gardner changes position on personhood issue". The Denver Post. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
51. Factcheck.org. August 15, 2014. . Factcheck.org Retrieved: 27 October 2014.
52. Gardner, Cory (2014-06-19). "Cory Gardner: Women should be able to buy the pill without a prescription". Denver Post. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
53. Stokols, Eli. October 7, 2014. Gardner: ‘My views on marriage have long been clear’. FOX 31 Denver. Retrieved: 7 October 2014.
54. Lee, Kurtis (Apr 12, 2014). "Rep. Cory Gardner wins big at assembly, will challenge Sen. Mark Udall". Denver Post. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
55. "Cory Gardner for U.S. Senate". Denver Post. Oct 10, 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
56. Richardson, Valerie (Oct 23, 2014). "NFL politics: Elway backs Gardner in Colorado as progressives target Denver Broncos fans". Washington Times. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
57. Rogers, Alex (Oct 28, 2014). "How Joe Manchin Ended Up Getting Out the Vote Against a Fellow Democrat". Time. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
58. "CO State House District 63 Race – Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
59. "CO State House 063 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 June 2011.

External links

• U.S. Senator Cory Gardner official U.S. Senate site
• Cory Gardner for U.S. Senate
• Cory Gardner at DMOZ
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress