Tidwell announces 2010 run for Senate

At a Thursday press conference held on the Auraria campus in Denver, Republican businessman Cleve Tidwell formally announced his 2010 bid for U.S. Senate.

TidwellFTS Staff Photo

Tidwell made the announcement in front a small crowd of student media and passersby on campus. Before he took to the mic, several students spoke about their support for Tidwell, all of whom are volunteering on his campaign and make up his unpaid staff.

"We've got to bring more fiscal responsibility back to our government so they spend within the limits of what they've got," said Tidwell. "I come from a business of 30 years and I think it's time we brought some business to government. Our government thinks they can run our business better than we can, and I just don't agree with that."

Tidwell's platform relies heavily on his experience in the private sector as a business owner. He has never previously run for office and is considered by many to be a dark horse candidate with little to no name recognition among Coloradans.

Other Republicans in the race to challenge Democrat Michael Bennet are Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier and Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck.