Opens campaign office in Pueblo
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The Colorado Senate race that has brought so much national attention came to Colorado Springs this week.
Former State House Speaker Andrew Romanoff is facing off against fellow Democrat ic Sen. Michael Bennet in the August primary for U.S. Senate.
This week it was revealed that a top aide at the White House had encouraged Romanoff not to run in exchange for a job in the Obama Administration.
On Friday Romanoff brought his campaign to southern Colorado.
FOX21 News met up with Romanoff at a Juneteenth celebration at Colorado Technical University.
Romanoff made no mention of the controversy during his public comments and only talked about it when reporters asked.
"It's not a conversation that we intend to spin or focus on. It's not a topic most of the voters are interested in either," Romanoff said.
Romanoff and the White House both confirmed that Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina called Romanoff last fall and tried to keep him from entering the race by talking about possible jobs in the Obama Administration.
Romanoff said no job was ever promised and the discussion didn't affect his decision to run.
Some are questioning the heavy-handed maneuver by one of the President’s top aides.
FOX21 News spoke to the head of the El Paso County Republican Party about the controversy.
"Democrats as a whole have been having this problem with saying one thing and doing another. They campaigned for transparency, they campaigned against politics as usual and this is completely politics as usual," said Ryan Parsell, the acting chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party.
It's clear Romanoff is ready to move on and focus on the campaign.
"I am happy to answer your questions as I have all week but the truth is people want to know how I am going to help them get a job, how I’m going to help their kids get an education," Romanoff said.
Romanoff said he won’t let outside influences affect his campaign.
"The Constitution provides for the popular election for senators, so as much effort as may be made in Washington by the National Democratic Party to silence primaries in Colorado Arkansas and Pennsylvania, it's the people who get to pick senators," Romanoff said.
Late Friday afternoon Romanoff opened a campaign office in Pueblo.
Related stories:
White House: Obama unaware of job offers in Colo.
GOP's Steele: Romanoff discussion crossed the line
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