Washington, D.C. – This morning, the Denver Post highlighted a new post-election poll showing health care as the top issue for independent voters in Colorado, who overwhelmingly backed Democrats. Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, released the following statement in response:
“This poll makes it crystal clear that independent Coloradans supported Democrats because of their consistent fight against the Republican repeal-and-sabotage agenda. Health care was a top issue among these voters, who sent Jared Polis to the governor’s mansion and sent pro-repeal Mike Coffman home. It’s time for Sen. Cory Gardner to listen to his constituents and renounce his Party’s relentless attacks on health care by opposing the Trump-GOP lawsuit to strike down the protections millions of Coloradans depend on. If not, he should enjoy his final two years in the Senate.”
FROM THE POLL:
Health Care Was A Top Issue In The Governor’s Race For Unaffiliated, With Unaffiliated Voters Heavily Backing Democrat Jared Polis. “Overwhelmingly, the top two issues that were important to unaffiliated voters and influenced their vote for Governor and the state legislature were education and healthcare. 59% of respondents said they voted for Jared Polis and 25% voted for Walker Stapleton, for a Polis win margin of 34%. Among male unaffiliated voters the Polis win margin was 24 points (53% to 29%) and among unaffiliated women it was 45 points (65% to 20%).” [Magellan Strategies, accessed 11/15/18]
Unaffiliated Voters Support The Democratic Party Due To Their Policies Which “Help People,” With Health Care At The Top Of The List. “What unaffiliated voters like about the [Democratic] Party is their support for affordable healthcare, public education, economic fairness, fighting income inequality and being ‘socially conscious’ on issues like the environment. The common theme in the positive comments is that Democrats promote policies that ‘help people’.” [Magellan Strategies, accessed 11/15/18]
Unaffiliated Voters Who Opposed Republican Walker Stapleton Cited His Dismissal Of Health Care As One Of The Reasons Why. “The primary reasons unaffiliated voters voted against Walker Stapleton were his support for Donald Trump and his policies, and an impression that he was a ‘liar,’ ‘dishonest’ and ‘untrustworthy.’ Some respondents also said they disagreed with his policy priorities, and that he cared more about immigration than education and healthcare.” [Magellan Strategies, accessed 11/15/18]
CO-06: Jason Crow “Assailed” Mike Coffman Over His Vote For Sneaky Repeal. “Crow assailed Coffman for voting for the GOP tax measure that revoked tax penalties for those who don’t buy health insurance. It was a key provision of former President Barack Obama’s health care law, which Crow defended as a first step toward his goal of universal health care. Coffman was booed at town halls last year for insisting that the health law be repealed, though he eventually voted against the GOP effort.” [Denver Post, 11/7/18]