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Denver — Progressive Democratic Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff is not giving up his challenge to John Hickenlooper for the nomination to take on Cory Gardner.

A newly released video showing Romanoff’s pitch to voters includes references to Washington Democrats not wanting the primary election to unfold –  accusing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of meddling.

“They do not want this contest to unfold – they prefer a coronation,” Romanoff said. “Chuck Schumer told me as much when we met earlier this year – we don’t want Democrats to fight we are going to pick the winner.”

Romanoff trails Hickenlooper in polling and in fundraising. A recent poll in Colorado showed Hickenlooper defeating Cory Gardner in a hypothetical match-up 53% to 42%, according to the Democratic pollster group Keating Research.

When asked about the video, Romanoff told Fox31 political reporter Joe St. George “I’m running to represent the people of Colorado, not the party bosses in Washington.”

Romanoff has been critical of Hickenlooper’s moderate policies  and has also attacked Washington Democrats, including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, for their support of Hickenlooper.

Apart from Hickenlooper there are more than seven Democrats still challenging Hickenlooper for the nomination.