Randy Baumgardner
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Randy Baumgardner
|image = Randy Baumgardner.JPG
|state_senate = Colorado
|district = 8th
|term_start = January 15, 2013
|term_end = January 21, 2019
|predecessor = Jean White
|successor = Bob Rankin
|office2 = Member of the
Colorado House of Representatives
from the 57th district
|term_start2 = January 7, 2009
|term_end2 = January 9, 2013
|predecessor2 = Al White
|successor2 = Bob Rankin
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place = Bedford, Indiana, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|spouse = Lori
|children =
|party = Republican
|education = Indiana University
|signature = Randy Baumgardner's signature.jpg
}}
Randy L. Baumgardner is an American politician who served in the Colorado House of Representatives from the 57th district from 2009 to 2013, and in the Colorado Senate from the 8th district from 2013 to 2019, as a member of the Republican Party. Baumgardner resigned after more allegations came out against him following an unsuccessful expulsion vote.
Early life
Randy L. Baumgardner was born in Bedford, Indiana, and attended Indiana University. He and his wife Lori moved to Grand County, Colorado, in 1994, and both of them worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation. One of his children, Charlie, died at age seven in the 1990s.{{Cite news |url=https://www.skyhinews.com/news/conversations-with-randy-l-baumgardner/ |title=Conversations with … Randy L. Baumgardner |date=September 22, 2008 |work=Sky-Hi News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523181547/https://www.skyhinews.com/news/conversations-with-randy-l-baumgardner/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.summitdaily.com/news/senate-district-8-candidate-profile-rep-randy-baumgardner-looks-to-state-senate/ |title=Senate District 8 candidate profile: Rep. Randy Baumgardner looks to state Senate |date=October 24, 2012 |work=Sky-Hi News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523181914/https://www.summitdaily.com/news/senate-district-8-candidate-profile-rep-randy-baumgardner-looks-to-state-senate/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
Career
=Colorado House of Representatives=
During the 2008 election Baumgardner ran for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives from the 57th district. He defeated Daniel L. Korkowski in the Republican primary and defeated Democratic nominee R. Todd Hagenbuch in the general election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2008AbstractBook.pdf |title=Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2008 Primary and 2008 General |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408203510/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2008AbstractBook.pdf |archive-date=April 8, 2021}} He defeated Democratic nominee Steve Ivancie and Libertarian nominee Mike Kien in the 2010 election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf |title=Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2010 Primary and 2010 General |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408095248/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf |archive-date=April 8, 2021}}
During his time in the state house Baumgardner let Michael K. Frierson, an unregistered sex offender who pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of sexual assault against a fourteen year-old, live in his house. Frierson was later arrested for not notifying the sheriff that he had moved and for not re-registering. Lori paid Frierson's $2,000 bond and Baumgarder stated that he was helping Frierson rebuild his life.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/15/unregistered-sex-offender-lives-at-home-of-colorado-lawmaker-2/ |title=Senate District 8 candidate profile: Rep. Randy Baumgardner looks to state Senate |date=October 24, 2012 |work=Sky-Hi News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523182222/https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/15/unregistered-sex-offender-lives-at-home-of-colorado-lawmaker-2/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
=Colorado Senate=
During the 2012 election Baumgardner challenged incumbent Republican Senator Jean White for a seat in the Colorado Senate from the 8th district.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/06/ugly-campaign-fliers-hit-in-northwestern-colorado-state-senate-race/ |title=Ugly campaign fliers hit in northwestern Colorado state Senate race |date=June 6, 2012 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523182523/https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/06/ugly-campaign-fliers-hit-in-northwestern-colorado-state-senate-race/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} He defeated White in the primary and defeated Democratic nominee Emily Tracy and Libertarian nominee Sacha L. Weis in the general election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2012AbstractBook.pdf |title=2012 Abstract of Votes Cast |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408080456/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2012AbstractBook.pdf |archive-date=April 8, 2021}} He defeated Tracy again in the 2016 election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/primary/republican/stateSenate.html |title=2016 Primary Election Results - Republican Party Ballot |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523233520/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/primary/republican/stateSenate.html |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/general/stateSenate.html |title=2016 General Election Results |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523233519/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/general/stateSenate.html |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
On July 12, 2013, he announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate election in 2014.{{Cite news |url=https://www.skyhinews.com/news/randy-baumgardner-makes-official-his-candidacy-for-u-s-senate/ |title=Randy Baumgardner makes official his candidacy for U.S. Senate |date=July 13, 2013 |work=Sky-Hi News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523232031/https://www.skyhinews.com/news/randy-baumgardner-makes-official-his-candidacy-for-u-s-senate/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} However, he did not win enough support from delegates at the state assembly to appear on the primary ballot and Cory Gardner received 73% of the delegate vote.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/04/12/rep-cory-gardner-wins-big-at-assembly-will-challenge-sen-mark-udall/ |title=Rep. Cory Gardner wins big at assembly, will challenge Sen. Mark Udall |date=April 12, 2014 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523232035/https://www.denverpost.com/2014/04/12/rep-cory-gardner-wins-big-at-assembly-will-challenge-sen-mark-udall/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
Baumgardner was selected to serve as the Majority Whip in the state senate in 2015.{{Cite news |url=https://www.skyhinews.com/news/hot-sulphur-springs-lawmaker-chosen-for-senate-leadership/ |title=Hot Sulphur Springs lawmaker chosen for Senate leadership |date=November 18, 2014 |work=Sky-Hi News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523174355/https://www.skyhinews.com/news/hot-sulphur-springs-lawmaker-chosen-for-senate-leadership/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
==Sexual Harassment==
Megan Creeden, a legislative intern, accused Baumgardner of sexual harassment in which he slapped her butt and of making inappropriate comments.{{Cite news |url=https://www.skyhinews.com/news/intern-alleges-inappropriate-sexual-behavior-by-sen-randy-baumgardner-a-grand-county-resident/ |title=Intern alleges inappropriate sexual behavior by Sen. Randy Baumgardner, a Grand County resident |date=November 20, 2017 |work=Sky-Hi News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523173115/https://www.skyhinews.com/news/intern-alleges-inappropriate-sexual-behavior-by-sen-randy-baumgardner-a-grand-county-resident/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/01/baumgardner-sexual-harassment-complaint-credible/ |title=Colorado lawmaker faces potential disciplinary action after sexual harassment complaint deemed credible |date=February 1, 2018 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523173603/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/01/baumgardner-sexual-harassment-complaint-credible/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} She filed a sexual harassment complaint against him in 2017.{{Cite news |url=https://www.aspentimes.com/news/sexual-harassment-complaint-filed-against-sen-randy-baumgardner/ |title=Sexual harassment complaint filed against Sen. Randy Baumgardner |date=November 30, 2017 |work=The Aspen Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523173358/https://www.aspentimes.com/news/sexual-harassment-complaint-filed-against-sen-randy-baumgardner/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} Baumgardner denied the allegations against him, but stepped down as chair of a committee. Senate President Kevin Grantham only requested for him to attend sensitivity training.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/13/randy-baumgardner-sexual-harassment-committee-chairmanship/ |title=Colorado lawmaker accused of sexual harassment to step down from a committee chairmanship, but won’t resign |date=February 13, 2018 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523180507/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/13/randy-baumgardner-sexual-harassment-committee-chairmanship/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} The Democratic members of the state senate attempted to have Baumgardner expelled, but it failed in a seventeen to seventeen vote, below the twenty-four votes needed, which Senator Don Coram (R) called a "public lynching". Senator Ray Scott was the only Republican to vote in favor of expelling Baumgardner.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/02/randy-baumgardner-expulsion-vote-results/ |title=Colorado Sen. Randy Baumgardner survives Democratic effort to expel him after sexual harassment complaint |date=April 2, 2018 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523175412/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/02/randy-baumgardner-expulsion-vote-results/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
Two other complaints which alleged that Baumgardner created a hostile and offensive work environment and of inappropriate actions with a female intern were verified by an outside investigation.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/23/randy-baumgardner-harassment-new-allegations/ |title=New harassment complaints verified against Colorado lawmaker who survived expulsion vote |date=April 23, 2018 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523181109/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/23/randy-baumgardner-harassment-new-allegations/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} He was removed from his committee assignments by Grantham.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/05/03/randy-baumgardner-punishment-harassment/ |title=Colorado Sen. Randy Baumgardner stripped of committee positions at legislature in wake of new harassment report |date=May 3, 2018 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523180024/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/05/03/randy-baumgardner-punishment-harassment/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} He announced that he would be leaving the state senate after the additional allegations came out and resigned on January 21, 2019.{{Cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/17/randy-baumgardner-retiring/ |title=Colorado Sen. Randy Baumgardner stepping down after beating expulsion vote |date=December 17, 2018 |work=The Denver Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523174608/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/17/randy-baumgardner-retiring/ |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/randy-l-baumgardner |title=Senator Randy L. Baumgardner |work=Colorado General Assembly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523175200/https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/randy-l-baumgardner |archive-date=May 23, 2021}} Bob Rankin, a member of the state house, was selected to replace Baumgardner in the state senate.{{Cite news |url=https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/rankin-becomes-a-state-senator/article_5359d4e2-1ed8-11e9-a37f-10604b9f7e7c.html |title=Rankin becomes a state senator |date=January 23, 2019 |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210523172812/https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/rankin-becomes-a-state-senator/article_5359d4e2-1ed8-11e9-a37f-10604b9f7e7c.html |archive-date=May 23, 2021}}
Electoral history
{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=Randy Baumgardner electoral history}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2008 Colorado House of Representatives 57th district election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner
|votes = 2,319
|percentage = 67.24%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Daniel L. Korkowski
|votes = 1,130
|percentage = 32.76%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 3,449
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner
|votes = 19,929
|percentage = 56.50%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = R. Todd Hagenbuch
|votes = 15,346
|percentage = 43.50%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 35,275
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2010 Colorado House of Representatives 57th district election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner (incumbent)
|votes = 8,611
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 8,611
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner (incumbent)
|votes = 18,207
|percentage = 60.79%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Steve Ivancie
|votes = 8,999
|percentage = 30.05%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Mike Kien
|votes = 1,196
|percentage = 3.99%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 29,949
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2012 Colorado Senate 8th district election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner
|votes = 6,809
|percentage = 58.22%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Jean White (incumbent)
|votes = 4,887
|percentage = 41.78%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 11,696
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner
|votes = 34,187
|percentage = 51.06%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Emily Tracy
|votes = 29,688
|percentage = 44.34%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Sacha L. Weis
|votes = 3,079
|percentage = 4.60%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 66,954
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2016 Colorado Senate 8th district election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner (incumbent)
|votes = 8,638
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 8,638
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Baumgardner (incumbent)
|votes = 39,526
|percentage = 54.85%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Emily Tracy
|votes = 32,530
|percentage = 45.15%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 72,056
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{hidden end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.randybaumgardner.com/ Campaign website]
- [http://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/randy-l-baumgardner Colorado General Assembly Website]
- [http://ballotpedia.org/Randy_Baumgardner Biography] at Ballotpedia
- [http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Randy_Baumgardner.htm Issue positions and quotes] at On the Issues
- {{C-SPAN|109577}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baumgardner, Randy}}
Category:Republican Party Colorado state senators
Category:Republican Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives
Category:21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly