Incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper has fended off a primary challenge from state Sen. Julie Gonzales in Colorado, a result that represents a speed bump for the progressive movement within the Democratic Party. Hickenlooper, seeking a second term in the Senate, overcame the challenge from Gonzales, who had argued for a more aggressive stance against former President Donald Trump.
Gonzales, 43, positioned herself as part of a new wave within the Democratic Party, contrasting with Hickenlooper, 74, a veteran of Colorado politics who previously served as Denver’s mayor and the state’s governor. Her campaign had criticized Hickenlooper's moderate positions and votes on some of Trump's nominees.
"John Hickenlooper has been in office for over 20 years," Gonzales stated in her campaign launch ad. "I know that we’re not fooled by his so-called ‘commonsense approach,’ cause there is no sense in voting for Donald Trump’s nominees."
Despite the challenge, Hickenlooper's victory comes at a time when progressive candidates have seen recent successes in other Democratic primaries. The development in Colorado contrasts with recent shifts seen in New York, where progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani secured nominations. In one instance, Mamdani-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
Colorado also saw another progressive challenge to a longtime incumbent. Melat Kiros, a socialist endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is running against Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st Congressional District. Kiros also received an endorsement from one of Hickenlooper's Senate colleagues.
Hickenlooper is now set to face Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley in the general election. Baisley, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, had initially declared a bid for governor before switching to the Senate race.