No Labels in Colorado: Fixing problems together

This year’s midterm election, as most others, presented a number of highly competitive and important races, particularly in the United States Senate. In one such race in Colorado, Rep. Cory Gardner (R) and Sen. Mark Udall (Dt) endured a rough campaign full of issue ads generated by both parties. In the end, Gardner won the election with 48.5 percent of the vote, compared to Udall’s 46.0 percent.

{mosads}In 2013, while serving as a member of the House and as a No Labels Problem Solver, 47 percent of the legislation sponsored by Sen.-Elect Gardner had at least one co-sponsor of the Democratic Party. One such piece of bipartisan legislation sought to reduce private and public sector energy consumption, thereby saving an estimated five-billion dollars over the first five years of the proposed program. This effort displayed in passing bipartisan legislation provides clear insight as to how Gardner intends to reform this country- by enacting bipartisan legislation that helps achieve the goals outlined by No Labels National Strategic Agenda. Meanwhile,  Udall, who has previously refused to accept The No Labels Problem Solver Seal of Approval, introduced 34 bills on the senate floor in 2013, only 35 percent of which were bipartisan. Furthermore, Gardner has demonstrated an ability to work with an opposing body of the legislative branch, exemplified by his Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2013, which had a partner bill circulating in the senate that was sponsored by Senator Bennett, also from Colorado, and of the Democratic Party. Gardner has proven during his time in Congress that he is committed to a bipartisan approach in solving America’s problems. The outcome of this election demonstrates our country’s demand for progress and problem solving in Congress.

In Gardner’s acceptance speech he stated that he , “will work each and everyday… to find [common] solutions, not for party or politics, but for the people of Colorado.” He further stated that the voters of Colorado are “crystal clear” in their desire “to pick the shackle of gridlock and fundamentally change the dysfunction of Washington D.C.” Udall declined this opportunity and the state of Colorado has responded accordingly. We need people in office who are dedicated to passing legislation that solves the problems facing American society, individuals whose personal interests are put to rest by the absolute demand for progress and reform generated by their constituencies. Gardner has promised to uphold the rudimentary principles of No Labels- a commitment to responsibly progressing the nation through bipartisan cooperation in government, and always placing the American people as a whole above the partisan affiliations and ideologies we have as individuals. It is now up to the people of Colorado to come together as a state rather than as two political parties and to, as Gardner said,  “fix this nation’s problems– together.”

Carnes and Laguna are chapter co-founders of No Labels at CU Boulder.