Phil Weiser Wins Democratic Nomination for Colorado Governor

Phil Weiser, the current Attorney General of Colorado, has emerged as the projected winner in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor. The election result was based on 77% of the votes counted by 8 p.m. MT, showing Weiser with 54.7% compared to Sen. Michael Bennet’s 45.3%.

Weiser, who has reached the term limit for the Attorney General position, is running for governor for the first time. Similarly, this election marked Bennet’s first attempt to secure the state’s top executive role.

The election cycle featured Weiser’s strategy of appealing to anti-establishment voters, portraying Bennet as the political insider. This approach came despite Weiser’s own eight-year tenure in office.

Phil Weiser has served as Attorney General for eight years, distinguishing himself on various legal fronts.

Television audiences were exposed to several attack ads during the campaign, particularly targeting both candidates’ records regarding “anti-Trump credentials.” CBS Colorado’s Political Reporter Shaun Boyd highlighted that following his entry into the race, Weiser accepted substantial campaign contributions from firms linked to his AG’s office, inviting concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

The November election will see the Democratic nominee face the Republican candidate, chosen in the state’s GOP primary on Tuesday. Candidates in this contest include State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, State Representative Scott Bottoms, and Victor Marx. Additionally, former Congressman Greg Lopez will participate as an unaffiliated candidate after leaving the Republican Party in January.

For the past two decades, a Democrat has occupied the governor’s office in Colorado. The general election is scheduled for November 3.