Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser delivered one of the biggest surprises of the state’s election season Tuesday night, defeating three-term U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor. The outcome ends Bennet’s bid to leave Washington and return to state government while positioning Weiser as the Democratic nominee in November.
Many political observers had expected Bennet, one of Colorado’s most recognizable Democratic figures and a former presidential candidate, to emerge victorious. Instead, Democratic voters handed the nomination to Weiser, marking a significant upset in one of the year’s most closely watched statewide contests.
Weiser now advances to the general election as the favorite to succeed Gov. Jared Polis, who cannot seek another term because of Colorado’s term limits. Democrats have enjoyed consistent success in recent statewide elections, giving the party a strong position heading into November.
