"Senators sit and debate in small groups, which is important, right? But I’m not sure that’s my — I’m a doer. That’s what gives me joy," former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said of suggestions that he run for Congress. | Elise Amendola/AP Photo 2020 ELECTIONS Hickenlooper: ‘I’m not cut out to be a senator’

CARROLL, Iowa — Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, campaigning Saturday in Iowa ahead of a possible presidential run, dismissed the idea that he might end up running for Senate instead in 2020.

“I’m not cut out to be a senator,” said Hickenlooper, who added that he loves putting administrative teams together. “Senators don’t build teams. Senators sit and debate in small groups, which is important, right? But I’m not sure that’s my — I’m a doer. That’s what gives me joy.”


Senate Democratic leaders have approached Hickenlooper about running against Colorado Republican incumbent Cory Gardner, the former governor told reporters.

“Are you kidding me?” Hickenlooper said when asked if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) had spoken to him about a potential Senate run. “Of course. Senator Schumer is one of the more persuasive people in my acquaintance.”

Cortez Masto chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Gardner is one of Senate Democrats’ top targets. Gardner chaired the Senate GOP’s campaign arm last cycle, when Republicans expanded their narrow majority.

COUNTDOWN TO 2020 The race for 2020 starts now. Stay in the know. Follow our presidential election coverage. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Hickenlooper has his eyes set on a possible presidential bid. The former Denver mayor is considering joining the crowded field of 2020 presidential candidates and traveled to Iowa for the weekend to meet voters here.

At earlier campaign stops, Hickenlooper framed Senate Democrats currently running for president as thinkers, dreamers and debaters. The difference, he said, is that he has actually gotten things done.

Hickenlooper contends Democrats must do more than just defeat President Donald Trump in 2020 — they must also do more to assess how the country got to a point where it could elect Trump president.

“I think I’m the one person out there that could show again and again and again the ability to bring people together,” he told a group of 20 or so voters Saturday morning at a Sioux City coffee shop.