Colorado Democrats Face 3 Key Primary Tests as Insurgents Target Veteran Incumbents
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 30
Colorado Democrats Face 3 Key Primary Tests as Insurgents Target Veteran Incumbents
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 30
Summary
Colorado voters head into Tuesday primaries with three major Democratic contests pitting veteran officeholders against younger insurgents, extending the party’s establishment-versus-left fight after last week’s New York upsets.
In Denver’s 1st District, Rep. Diana DeGette’s nearly 30-year tenure is under pressure from 29-year-old Melot Kiros, with Israel policy sharpening the race and outside groups spending more than $2.5 million combined.
Statewide, Sen. Michael Bennet faces Attorney General Phil Weiser in the governor’s race, while Sen. John Hickenlooper confronts progressive state Sen. Julie Gonzales despite a large fundraising and spending edge.
The primaries also shape November’s battlefield: the winner between Shannon Bird and Manny Rutinel will take on GOP Rep. Gabe Evans in the 8th District, where Trump won by less than 2 points in 2024.
Republican contests are quieter but still notable, including Rep. Jeff Hurd’s 3rd District primary after Trump reversed himself twice on endorsing him before backing Hurd again.