Bob
Chew
Forward Party-endorsed independent challenging Sen. John Hickenlooper in Colorado's 2026 U.S. Senate race
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 4
Background
Bob Chew is a Boulder, Colorado-based retired business executive and U.S. Navy veteran running as the Forward Party nominee for Colorado's U.S. Senate seat in the November 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper. 75613
Chew grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 1981, and served five years on active duty as a Navy submarine officer. He subsequently held roles at Teton Adventures, Sonalysts, and Performance Solutions before co-founding an engineering and technical-services company with his wife in 1996. He stepped down as CEO in 2022. 76
Chew launched his campaign in May 2026, describing himself as an independent running on the Forward Party line. The Forward Party formally endorsed him as part of its first slate of independent Senate candidates in June 2026. This is his first run for elected office. 1695
Chew has self-funded substantial advertising expenditures, including a reported $1.1 million investment early in the campaign and an additional $1.5 million advertising buy announced in September 2026. The Federal Election Commission classifies his party affiliation as "Other." 101113
At a glance
- Party
- Forward
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Colorado
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- bobchew2026.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8newsChew campaign schedules virtual town hall on foreign policy and immigration
Chew's campaign events page listed a virtual town hall focused on foreign policy and immigration issues. Sources confirmed the event was scheduled but did not provide details of what was said.
Events - Bob Chew for CO · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsColorado Gazette reports on Chew's $1.5 million ad boost
The Colorado Gazette covered Chew's expanded advertising campaign, noting the self-financed nature of the buy and his status as a third-party U.S. Senate candidate.
3rd-party US Senate candidate Bob Chew boosts Colorado ads by $1.5M · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsChew names national debt, affordability, and ending two-party dysfunction as top priorities in Denver Post Q&A
In a Denver Post candidate questionnaire, Chew identified addressing the national debt and deficit, improving affordability (housing, groceries, health care, energy), and ending two-party dysfunction as his three top priorities.
Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Q&A · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsColorado Forward Party hosts online event on Chew's federal debt and deficit proposals
The Colorado Forward Party listed an online discussion focused on Chew's proposals for addressing federal debt and deficit. Sources confirmed the event was scheduled but did not provide a detailed account of its content.
Bob Chew's solutions for Federal debt & deficit · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsChew announces additional $1.5 million statewide advertising buy
Chew's campaign announced a further statewide advertising buy broken down as $930,000 for digital and streaming, $470,000 for television, $85,000 for radio, and $35,000 for virtual town halls. These are campaign-reported planned expenditures.
Bob Chew Announces New $1.5+ Million Statewide Advertising Buy in CO U.S. Senate Campaign - Bob Chew for CO · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsIVN podcast profiles Chew as independent Navy vet challenging Hickenlooper
Independent Voter News published a podcast profile of Chew, describing him as a Navy veteran running as an independent/Forward Party candidate against both major-party candidates.
Bob Chew: Colorado’s Independent Navy Vet taking on Hickenlooper — and the Republicans and Democrats · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28endorsementColorado Forward Party officially endorses Bob Chew for U.S. Senate
The Colorado Forward Party announced its endorsement of Chew, saying he would focus on fiscal restraint, opportunity, and reducing two-party dysfunction.
Colorado Forward Party Endorses Bob Chew for US Senate - Bob ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsChew tells CPR voter guide that national debt motivated his Senate run
In a Colorado Public Radio voter guide profile, Chew said concern over the national debt prompted him to launch his campaign. CPR reported he had put more than $1 million of his own money into the race.
US Senate: Forward Party nominee Robert Chew · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsCPR reports on Club 20 debate access dispute involving third-party candidates
Colorado Public Radio covered the Club 20 debates and noted that third-party candidates, including Chew, were excluded from participating on stage.
Colorado candidates square off in Club 20 debates ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20debateClub 20 Senate debate held without Chew; Baisley appeared, Hickenlooper did not
The Club 20 Senate debate took place at Colorado Mesa University. Republican Mark Baisley appeared; Democrat John Hickenlooper did not. Chew was not included as a third-party candidate.
Club 20 hosts candidate debates ahead of Colorado ... · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18debateChew excluded from Club 20 debates in Grand Junction
Third-party candidates including Chew were not invited to the Club 20 debates in Grand Junction and were offered only a booth outside. Chew argued minor-party candidates should be allowed to debate; Club 20 said it could not select one minor-party candidate over another.
Club 20 debates set for Saturday at Colorado Mesa University · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 1newsChew launches $1.3 million statewide TV and digital ad campaign
Chew launched a statewide television and digital advertising campaign, largely self-financed, featuring ads depicting him tossing household objects in frustration over costs of groceries, health care, and housing.
Bob Chew boosts Senate spending in Colorado by $1.5 ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Colorado Forward Party organizationForward Party endorsement announced on the campaign website and listed in iVoterGuide candidate profile. bobchew2026.com · Sep 28, 2026
- Colorado Center Party organizationCenter Party endorsement announced on the campaign website; the Center Party and Forward Party had collaborated. bobchew2026.com · Sep 28, 2026
- CIVPAC (Centrist Independent Voter PAC) organizationEndorsement listed on the campaign news page. bobchew2026.com · Sep 28, 2026
- Independent Veterans of America organizationMilitary veterans organization endorsement, announced in a campaign press release. bobchew2026.com · Aug 20, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.27M
- Spent
- $226K
- Cash on hand
- $1.04M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6CO00549(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] Events - Bob Chew for CO(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [2] 3rd-party US Senate candidate Bob Chew boosts Colorado ads by $1.5M(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [3] Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Q&A(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Q&A(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Bob Chew Announces New $1.5+ Million Statewide Advertising Buy in CO U.S. Senate Campaign - Bob Chew for CO(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] Bob Chew boosts Senate spending in Colorado by $1.5 ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [7] Bob Chew: Colorado’s Independent Navy Vet taking on Hickenlooper — and the Republicans and Democrats(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [8] Colorado Forward Party Endorses Bob Chew for US Senate - Bob ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [9] Bob Chew's solutions for Federal debt & deficit(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [10] US Senate: Forward Party nominee Robert Chew(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [11] Colorado candidates square off in Club 20 debates ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [12] Club 20 hosts candidate debates ahead of Colorado ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [13] Club 20 debates set for Saturday at Colorado Mesa University(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [14] Military Veterans Organization Endorses Bob Chew for U.S. Senate - Bob Chew for CO(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
- [15] Issues - Bob Chew for CO(opens in a new tab) Aug 21, 2026
- [16] News - Bob Chew for CO(opens in a new tab) Jul 2, 2019