Colorado's Democratic primaries on Tuesday are set to reflect a national question facing the party: whether voters are leaning towards a younger, progressive wave of candidates or established incumbents.
This dynamic is particularly evident in the race for Colorado's 1st Congressional District, where incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, who has served for nearly 30 years, faces a challenge from Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist. Kiros, a first-time candidate, notably outperformed DeGette in a March Democratic assembly, a preliminary vote to determine ballot qualification. While this assembly outcome does not predetermine the primary results, it signaled a potential shift for the Democratic establishment.
Similarly, in the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper, a former governor with extensive public service, is challenged by state Sen. Julie Gonzales. Gonzales, who describes herself as an "insurgent progressive," is employing arguments similar to those used by challengers in other races, characterizing Hickenlooper as an "incrementalist."
The primary for the state's 8th Congressional District, a newly created swing seat, also presents a generational and ideological contrast. Party leaders had initially favored state Rep. Shannon Bird, a moderate, to challenge Republican Rep. Gabe Evans. However, state Rep. Manny Rutinel, who is Latino, is running on a platform emphasizing his personal background and a more aggressive economic agenda, arguing it would be more effective in the district.
A different dynamic is playing out in the Democratic primary for governor. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, both Democrats, have found it difficult to establish significant differences in their policy platforms. Instead, their campaigns have focused on criticizing each other's records concerning former President Donald Trump. Bennet has questioned Weiser's actions during Trump's first term, while Weiser has criticized Bennet's past votes on Trump's nominees and suggested Bennet should remain in the Senate.
Nationally, the trend of progressive challengers gaining traction was recently seen in New York, where democratic socialists and progressives unseated establishment-backed candidates, including incumbents, in U.S. House primaries. Kiros has secured an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, mirroring the support DeGette receives from Colorado's established Democratic House delegation.
In the 1st Congressional District, DeGette argues that her experience is crucial for combating Trump's agenda. Kiros, a former attorney, contends that DeGette has been ineffective. University of Colorado Regent Wanda James is also running in this race, potentially splitting votes that might otherwise go to Kiros.
For the U.S. Senate race, Hickenlooper is considered the favorite. Gonzales has stated she was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2018, though she noted her membership has since lapsed.
As Colorado is considered a blue state, the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary is anticipated to be the frontrunner against the Republican nominee in the general election to succeed term-limited Gov. Jared Polis.
On the Republican side for governor, the candidates include state Rep. Scott Bottoms, State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, and Victor Marx.
In races further down the ballot, former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted for her role in a scheme to copy election computer systems based on debunked claims of fraud in the 2020 election, is a figure in local Republican contests. Candidate Abby Silzell is challenging incumbent Bobbie Gross for clerk and recorder, echoing Peters' claims about the 2020 election and stating Peters' conviction was a "miscarriage of justice."