2012Final results
2012 election for Colorado's 4th District
U.S. House · Colorado
Cory Gardner (R) won with 58.4% of the vote, defeating Brandon Shaffer (D) by 21.7 points.
Cory GardnerRepublican · winner
58.4%200,006
Brandon ShafferDemocrat
36.7%125,800
Josh GillilandLibertarian
3.1%10,682
Doug AdenConstitution
1.7%5,848
342,336 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2012
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Brandon ShafferCory Gardner
$905.8K
Raised by the campaign
$2.3M
$895.7K
Spent by the campaign
$1.9M
$10.1K
Cash on hand
$465.2K
Other candidates' campaigns: Josh Gilliland $2.1K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2012.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2012
The candidates
Cory Gardner (R)Brandon Shaffer (D)
Also on the ballot: Josh Gilliland (Libertarian), 3.1%; Doug Aden (Constitution), 1.7%