Colorado’s Attorney General Wins Primary Over Senator Bennet

Phil Weiser, Colorado’s Democratic attorney general, achieved a surprising triumph in Tuesday’s primary election for governor, defeating U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Despite Senator Bennet’s significant financial backing and support from the political establishment, Mr. Weiser emerged victorious, as reported by The Associated Press.

A year prior, Mr. Weiser was lagging behind Senator Bennet by as many as 30 points. His persistence paid off as he ran a vigorous campaign emphasizing the need for a governor ready to challenge President Trump and protect Colorado, a democratic state, from federal administration policies.

Throughout his tenure as attorney general, Mr. Weiser filed over 66 lawsuits against the Trump administration. These legal actions contested funding reductions impacting Colorado, the decision to move the U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama, and Trump’s immigration policies and tariffs.

Mr. Weiser is the favorite to win November’s general election in Colorado. The state has not seen a Republican governor in over two decades, and Trump’s low approval ratings among Colorado’s independent voters bolster Mr. Weiser’s chances.

The Republican primary race was still undecided as of Tuesday night. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a state lawmaker with backing from mainstream Republicans, was closely competing with Victor Marx, a far-right pastor known for controversial claims about his ministry and past.

While Democrats have held control in Colorado for years, both Mr. Weiser and Senator Bennet agreed that new approaches were necessary. They acknowledged that rising housing and health care costs were driving residents away and pledged to reduce regulations to bolster home construction and the state economy.

Many voters found little distinction between the two candidates’ proposals. Supporters of Mr. Bennet favored his push for a state-run health care system and pollution caps, while others believed Mr. Weiser would better advocate for teachers and schools.

Danielle Varda, a former school board member from Jefferson County, who is running for the state legislature, voted for Mr. Weiser. She remarked, “They look alike on a lot of things.”

The primary race intensified in recent months, attracting substantial donations from super PACs and external contributors, including billionaire Michael R. Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, who endorsed Senator Bennet.

The campaign involved fierce advertising battles, with both men attacking each other’s ads. Despite serving as attorney general for two terms and previously as the dean of the University of Colorado’s law school, Mr. Weiser successfully portrayed himself as the underfunded challenger against Senator Bennet, who has spent 17 years in the Senate.

Jack Healy covers the west and southwest regions for The Times from Colorado.