[[File:Cory Gardner Donors 2012.JPG|right|375px|thumb|Breakdown of the source of Gardner's campaign funds before the 2012 election.]]

[[File:Cory Gardner Donors 2012.JPG|right|375px|thumb|Breakdown of the source of Gardner's campaign funds before the 2012 election.]]

−

Gardner won re-election to the [[U.S. House]] in 2012. During that election cycle, Gardner's campaign committee raised a total of $2,295,599 and spent $1,849,386.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030780&cycle=2012 ''Open Secrets'' "Cory Gardner 2012 Election Cycle," Accessed February 19, 2013]</ref>

+

Gardner won re-election to the [[U.S. House]] in 2012. During that election cycle, Gardner's campaign committee raised a total of $2,295,599 and spent $1,849,386.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030780&cycle=2012 ''Open Secrets'' "Cory Gardner 2012 Election Cycle," Accessed February 19, 2013]</ref> This is more than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/06/2012-overview.html ''Open Secrets,'' "Election 2012: The Big Picture Shows Record Cost of Winning a Seat in Congress," June 19, 2013]</ref>

Gardner began his political career as a member of the staff of U.S. Senator Wayne Allard from 2002 to 2005. He was then elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, where he served from 2005 to 2010.

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Gardner is an average Republican member of Congress, meaning he will vote with the Republican Party on the majority of bills.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Gardner's academic, professional and political career:[4]

1997: Graduated from Colorado State University, Fort Collins with B.A.

For details and a full listing of sponsored bills, see the House site.

House Resolution 4899 opposition

Gardner and 38 other Republican Colorado state lawmakers sent a strongly worded letter of opposition to Capitol Hill to thwart a proposal tacked on to House Resolution 4899. The proposal would require state and local governments to participate in collective bargaining with labor groups representing police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders. The letter claimed the proposal would stifle economic recovery in Colorado.

Gardner wrote the letter, addressed to all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation, which characterized the bill as a "dangerous amendment" to House Resolution 4899 offered by Rep. David Obey, D-Wisconsin.

Citing economic considerations, the letter stated that the proposed amendment would cause more harm than good to Colorado’s economy. Gardner said now is not the time to fiddle with the equilibrium currently maintained between labor unions and government.

"Particularly with all of the uncertainty currently surrounding the economy, now is not the time to be making radical changes to the balance between labor unions and local governments," said Gardner. "The amendment that has been attached to this bill will cause further harm to our economy and hinder our economic recovery."

One Democratic lawmaker, Sen. Lois Tochtrop of Thornton, said she wholeheartedly supports the proposal.

“I would support any amendment that would that would help in the process of collective bargaining whether in government, or in the private sector. I do not see any economic harm in allowing employees to have a place at the table,” said Tochtrop.[9][10]

Redistricting

Under the new map approved in 2011, Gardner no longer represents Larimer County as of 2013. “I will work as hard as ever to represent Larimer County through the end of 2012, and I will work as hard as ever in the new district,” Gardner stated.[11]

Larimer County was moved out of the 4th and into the 2nd District. Meanwhile, parts of Douglas, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Otero counties were added to the 4th. The newly configured district gives Republicans a slightly higher advantage.

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "We’ve got to get this country moving again, and the best way to accomplish that is to get government out of the way. Private businesses generate wealth, not the government. By cutting government and cutting spending, we will allow the marketplace to do its job. "

Fiscal Responsibility

Excerpt: "Our nation is facing historic debt and high unemployment. Washington’s spending spree has to stop. An important step towards regaining the trust of the American people starts by placing this nation on a path to a balanced federal budget. Immediately after being sworn-in, I formally added my name as a co-sponsor of the Balanced Budget Amendment."

Energy

Excerpt: "Energy development at home is the key to powering our nation’s future. Not only is energy independence essential to our national security, but it will help create jobs for American workers. I have always advocated for an “all of the above” approach to energy. That includes development of traditional energy resources, renewable resources and even nuclear power."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Despite being ruled constitutional, the President’s health care bill still makes it difficult for our economy to grow and takes away the ability of patients to pursue their own health care decisions. The real issue, however, is not whether the law is constitutional or unconstitutional. It is whether it is good or bad for the country. "

Education

Excerpt: "The importance of education cannot be understated. Schools need the resources to be successful, but let’s not also forget that results matter."

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Gardner voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.[13]

Elections

2014

Gardner is set to run for re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. If he runs, he will seek the Republican nomination in the primary election on June 24, 2014. The general election took place November 4, 2014.

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Cory Gardner, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Cory Gardner won election to the United States House. He defeated incumbent Betsy Markey (D), Doug Aden (American Constitution) and Ken Waszkiewicz (Unaffiliated) in the general election.[16]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Gardner is available dating back to 2010. Based on available campaign finance records, Gardner raised a total of $4,722,190 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 22, 2013.[19]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Gardner's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Gardner won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Gardner's campaign committee raised a total of $2,295,599 and spent $1,849,386.[23] This is more than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[24]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Gardner paid his congressional staff a total of $750,753 in 2011. He ranked 26th on the list of the lowest paid Republican Representative Staff Salaries and he ranked 28th overall of the lowest paid Representative Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, Colorado ranked 14th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[29]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Gardner's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between -$34,984 and $249,999. That averages to $107,507, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth increased by 1.90% from 2010.[30]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Gardner's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $-10,987 and $221,999. That averages to $105,506, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[31]