Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton is hoping for a fourth term in Congress.<\/p>\n
What was expected to be a sleepy 3rd Congressional District race has blossomed into a competitive contest, with Democrat Gail Schwartz hoping to unseat Tipton.<\/p>\n
He also faces Libertarian Gaylon Kent at a time when frustration with party politics has reached a new high.<\/p>\n
Tipton has been hit especially hard by Schwartz and outside interests on the issue of public lands, with claims made through advertising and remarks that Tipton wants to privatize those lands in an effort to sell them off.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not telling the truth and she knows it,\u201d Tipton said of Schwartz\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot once have I said sell off public lands, or sponsored or written legislation to sell off public lands.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tipton campaign, meanwhile, has hit Schwartz for being a foe to coal, pointing to measures she supported in the Legislature as a state senator that mandated a renewable energy standard and required some Front Range coal-fired plants to burn natural gas.<\/p>\n
If Tipton wins re-election, he would head back to a Congress that most Americans believes is gridlocked and dysfunctional.<\/p>\n
But Tipton, a 59-year-old small businessman from Cortez, says he has risen above Congressional blockades, passing 11 bills through the House with bipartisan support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been able to reach across the aisle and garner bipartisan support for legislation that is good for the 3rd Congressional District and Colorado,\u201d Tipton said.<\/p>\n
As for not all of his bills making it through the process, \u201cWe are not the sole determinant of legislation,\u201d Tipton explained, placing blame on the Senate.<\/p>\n
Tipton said he is seeking re-election so he can focus on jobs and the economy. Having grown up on the Western Slope, he believes the sprawling congressional district is seeing some of its worst struggles in years.<\/p>\n
Tipton\u2019s solutions to solve a stagnant economy include expanding access to capital and reducing regulations \u2013 which includes protecting water rights \u2013 so that businesses can flourish.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses are at a loss with the avalanche of regulations that are coming down. It\u2019s hitting our small businesses, it\u2019s increasing their costs,\u201d Tipton said.<\/p>\n
As for Schwartz, his Democratic opponent, Tipton said, \u201cI never try to tear down anybody else to build myself up.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Tipton acknowledged that he and his opponent have a \u201cvery different approach.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith all of the above (energy), let\u2019s let the marketplaces choose \u2013 let\u2019s create jobs and put people back to work,\u201d Tipton said, adding that coal should be in the mix.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have more small businesses shutting down than there are new business startups,\u201d Tipton said. \u201cPeople aren\u2019t feeling optimistic. We have not felt the economic recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n