{"id":104648,"date":"2016-06-13T00:10:48","date_gmt":"2016-06-13T06:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/u-s-senate-primary-robert-blaha-guarantees-action\/"},"modified":"2016-06-13T00:10:48","modified_gmt":"2016-06-13T06:10:48","slug":"u-s-senate-primary-robert-blaha-guarantees-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/u-s-senate-primary-robert-blaha-guarantees-action\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Senate primary: Robert Blaha guarantees action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Blaha\"
Blaha<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

DENVER \u2013 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Robert Blaha has a product guarantee.<\/p>\n

The product is himself. The guarantee \u2013 if he doesn\u2019t cut the federal deficit by 50 percent, reduce illegal immigration by 50 percent and bring tax reforms, including a repeal of the estate tax, then he would not run for a second term.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with politicians is all they do is talk, they\u2019re not willing to be held accountable to anything, so if you can find a way to put some accountability into what you\u2019re doing \u2026 that\u2019s how we came up with the product guarantee,\u201d said the 61-year-old Colorado Springs businessman.<\/p>\n

Blaha\u2019s story is one of great business success, after growing up in Iowa and attending the University of Iowa on a football scholarship.<\/p>\n

After holding senior management positions with four major corporations, including Ford Motor Co., Blaha moved to Colorado Springs. He was 37.<\/p>\n

He co-founded Integrity Bank & Trust, where he serves as vice chairman of its board. In 1993, Blaha founded Human Capital Associates, a consulting firm.<\/p>\n

His successes have allowed him to make a $1 million investment into his campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe put a major down payment into a new product, and the product was this campaign, and then we said to people, after we prove ourself \u2026 we want everybody to pony up,\u201d Blaha said.<\/p>\n

But it hasn\u2019t been all success for Blaha.<\/p>\n

Some of his business pursuits have failed, and he ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn in the 5th Congressional District\u2019s Republican primary in 2012.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to have failures,\u201d Blaha said. \u201cA failure will either define who you are, or it will refine who you are \u2013 there\u2019s not a third choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those who know him say Blaha is a man who rarely hesitates and takes decisive actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis guy, when he puts his mind to something, he gets it done, he makes it happen,\u201d said John Bolin, who has known Blaha for 20 years. \u201cHe\u2019s the kind of guy where when he says it, he means it, and he stands by his word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Democrats, however, say the words Blaha uses aren\u2019t always the best choice. He often takes a blunt approach, and has been compared to Donald Trump on numerous occasions. While Blaha first endorsed Ted Cruz for president, he has ultimately come around to backing Trump.<\/p>\n

Those on the left fear that Blaha would support prohibiting foreign Muslims from entering the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of focusing on real policy solutions, Blaha is adding to the outlandish, offensive, prejudiced rhetoric that is antithetical to our values as a nation,\u201d said Chris Meagher, a spokesman for the Colorado Democratic Party.<\/p>\n

Blaha acknowledges his larger-than-life personality. When he kicked off his campaign in January, Blaha sent bobbleheads of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet to newsrooms across the state, suggesting that Bennet is one of the \u201cchief bobbleheads in the circus\u201d that is the U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n

Blaha is competing against four other Republicans in the June 28 primary to oust Bennet this November.<\/p>\n

Blaha had a bit of a head start, beating other candidates to television ads, with his first ad featuring a plumber failing to fix a broken toilet and a doctor who shoves his fist up a patient\u2019s behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re running as an alternative to the permanent political class,\u201d Blaha said. \u201cI\u2019m a Republican, I\u2019m not a never Trump. You\u2019re either a Republican, or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

pmarcus@durangoherald.com<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Robert Blaha<\/h4>\n

Age: 61
\n Residence: Northern El Paso County.
\n Education: Bachelor\u2019s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa.
\n Political background: Unsuccessful run against U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn in the 5th Congressional District\u2019s 2012 Republican primary.
\n Occupation: Investor, business consultant.
\n Family: Wife, Susan; seven children; several grandchildren.
\n Top endorsements: Family Research Council Action; state Sen. Tim Neville, R-Littleton, a former U.S. Senate candidate who failed to advance out of the state convention this year.
\n Funding: Started with a $1 million investment in his own campaign.
\n Presidential preference: Ted Cruz; now supports Donald Trump.
\n On Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland: \u201cI would hope that as Republicans, as conservatives, that we could get somebody who is much more out of the (former Supreme Court Justice Antonin) Scalia mold than what we are seeing.\u201d
\n On Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet: \u201cHe\u2019s too extreme. His voting record is indefensible.\u201d
\n On primary opponents: \u201cMost of them are either career politicians, or people looking for a job.\u201d
\n Biggest issue: \u201cTBD \u2013 taxes, borders, debt and deficit \u2013 TBD. Everybody has a to-be-done list. I\u2019ve got a to-be-done list for America.\u201d
\n On rural Colorado: \u201cIf you\u2019re going to represent Colorado, you\u2019ve got to get out and listen to people.\u201d
\n On marijuana: Would defend legalization in Colorado, adding, \u201cI\u2019m a 10th Amendment guy. Right, wrong or indifferent, agree or disagree, you\u2019re either a 10th Amendment supporter of you\u2019re not.\u201d
\n The 10th Amendment gives powers to the states.
\n On gun control: \u201cI\u2019m a strong Second Amendment advocate, we have a shooting range at our house.\u201d
\n On abortion: Pro-life; did not support personhood initiatives, which would assign constitutional rights to the unborn, thereby banning abortion in all situations.
\n Immigration: \u201cWe need to first and foremost follow our existing laws. As far as securing the border \u2026 you either have borders or you don\u2019t.\u201d
\n On health care reform: In addition to repealing the Affordable Care Act, \u201cI would allow the 50 states \u2026 to compete, and I would allow you and I to take our plan from wherever it is to wherever we go.\u201d
\n On raising the federal minimum wage: Opposes raising the wage, saying, \u201cI would like to see us go forward to a model that enables people to get the basic skills necessary to get that next best job.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

How to vote<\/h4>\n

Ballots were mailed last week to those affiliated with a party. Unaffiliated voters can affiliate with a party anytime through primary election day on June 28. However, if they wish to receive a mailed ballot, they must affiliate by June 20.
\n Completed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. June 28, and they can be returned by mail or dropped off at 24-hour drop boxes at:
\n La Plata County Clerk & Recorder, 98 Everett St., Suite C, Durango.
\n Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield.
\n La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., Durango.
\n For additional information about the ballot, places to vote in person or drop off ballots during limited hours, visit
\n http:\/\/bit.ly\/1sxSqz6
\n .
\n The Herald\u2019s election coverage will continue this week with stories on all GOP U.S. Senate candidates, and the Republican races in the 3rd Congressional District and State Board of Education. Coverage of
\n last week\u2019s debate
\n between the Democratic candidates in the District Attorney contest can be found at durangoherald.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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