The race for control of the Senate is just as close as the one for President this election day and there may not be any Republican in more danger of losing his seat than Colorado's Cory Gardner.
Due to President Trump's deep unpopularity in the state and the high profile of Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper, most polls show Gardner trailing badly, with only a fringe chance of retaining his seat.
The Gardner campaign needed a bold move to get things back on track. In a new ad, they might have taken things a step too far.
While a narrator talks about "Colorado's greatest resource...our land," the camera pans past the Grand Canyon, one of the nation's most well-known landmarks.
The Grand Canyon also happens to be located mostly in Arizona.
Pro-Gardner ad "Delivering for Colorado" gushes about "our people, our land" — but opens on a shot of the Grand Can… https://t.co/sbdgmr19bZ— James Owens (@James Owens) 1603115160.0
Lol. That’s got to hurt his reelection chances. 😂 https://t.co/iq5JVyvmWq— Kiwi_CGFX (@Kiwi_CGFX) 1604364527.0
The ad, which was funded by conservative super PAC ESAFund, seems to have done more harm than good to Gardner's campaign.
The Grand Canyon is definitely not in Colorado. https://t.co/hYd6rr7u0Z— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1604358498.0
@HuffPost Uh, Grand Canyon in Colorado? We in Arizona will disagree and fight you about that one.— Lady Freedom Returns (@Lady Freedom Returns) 1604359281.0
On Twitter, the Republican Senator was widely mocked for the mistake.
@HuffPost Geographically challenged.— Karla Maki-Esdon (@Karla Maki-Esdon) 1604404953.0
@HuffPost Arizona can have him— Jon Green (@Jon Green) 1604359563.0
Team Gardner really killing it with the press clips today! #cosen #copolitics @SenCoryGardner https://t.co/qfQLEHT4VN— Alyssa Roberts (@Alyssa Roberts) 1604347692.0
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Eli Rosen joked that the funders of Gardner's super PAC don't seem to have a good handle on the state.
Gardner is so wrapped up with Trump and the corrupt GOP in Washington, he doesn’t even realize what National Park i… https://t.co/qakoLqhUks— Bunny Hollebeke (@Bunny Hollebeke) 1604367366.0
You'd think someone would have caught this mistake before the ad was released!
How dumb are these people? https://t.co/ri8ygaDnF4— BFM (@BFM) 1604385291.0
Cory Gardner ad shows off Grand Canyon?? Hello, don’t we have enough beauty here in Colorado?? https://t.co/1Ouo8P6sfe— Desert-Hiker (@Desert-Hiker) 1604413504.0
Of course, just because Colorado doesn't have the Grand Canyon doesn't mean it isn't still beautiful.
#Colorado you deserve a senator that knows his state. Vote out @SenCoryGardner Vote in @johnhickenlooper The Gr… https://t.co/PbQlm0DCJP— razor (@razor) 1604412761.0
This is crazy! Colorado has some stunning scenery. Why not use it? https://t.co/g7stPhrtx4— 1984 Redux 🌊 🌊 🌊 (@1984 Redux 🌊 🌊 🌊) 1604377017.0
Colorado citizens will cast their ballots today to determine who will represent them beginning in January 2021.
Hopefully whoever it is knows where exactly the Grand Canyon is.