Gardner, along with other vulnerable GOP senators, took money from a conservative LGBTQ rights group despite his record of opposing pro-LGBTQ legislation.
Colorado Times Recorder: “Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner was one of three swing-state Republican senators to receive money from a fundraiser hosted by American Unity Fund (AUF), a conservative LGBTQ rights group. First reported by North Carolina conservative blog the Daily Haymaker, AUF hosted the $250 per person event on Tuesday at the Washington D.C. office of Hogan Lovells, a white shoe law firm with a large Denver presence.”
Gardner received one of the lowest scores from the Human Rights Campaign, but got a perfect score of 100 from the anti-LGBTQ Family Research Council.
Human Rights Campaign: In the HRC’s 114th Congressional Scorecard, Gardner received a score of 16, having failed to support seven out of eight pro-LGBTQ legislation, including the Equality Act.
Family Research Council: Meanwhile, the anti-LGBTQ organization Family Research Council gave Gardner a perfect score for voting for Sam Brownback to become the Ambassador-at-Large to the Office of International Religious Freedom in the Department of State despite Brownback’s long record of opposing LGBTQ rights.
Gardner’s anti-LGBTQ stance is out of step with Colorado voters, who overwhelmingly support LGBTQ rights.
Public Religion Research Institute: According to a 2018 survey, 72% of Coloradans support nondiscrimination protection for LGBTQ people, one of the highest levels of support in the country.
After the Democratic-led House passed the Equality Act, it’s unclear if Mitch McConnell will bring the legislation up for a vote, and Gardner has been silent on the issue.
Washington Post: “As Democrats cheered and applauded, the bill passed 236-to-173, with eight Republicans breaking ranks and joining all Democrats in backing the measure. It is unlikely to get a vote in the Republican-led Senate, and the White House has signaled President Trump would veto the measure if it ever reached his desk.”
