Walker Stapleton and Jared Polis will be their parties’ nominees for governor — but there’s still suspense in other races. The longtime frontrunners won the top prizes — Republican Walker Stapleton and Democrat Jared Polis will be their parties’ nominees for governor. Establishment-backed Democrats in races for U.S. Congress trounced a trio of progressive upstarts — Rep. Diana DeGette is poised for an easy general election to retain her position, Joe Neguse will almost surely take Polis’ place representing Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District and Jason Crow will win the chance to take on Republican Rep. Mike Coffman. But the Democratic primary for attorney general remains close Wednesday morning. Some of the local races we’d been watching late Tuesday appear to have wrapped up overnight. You can review what Esteban, Dave and Andy were watching for, what the folks at the Denver Post were watching for, or if you want another voting fix, you can vote in our Front Range hikes bracket. These aren’t, of course, all of the races — but they’re the ones we’ve been watching closely. For complete results, you can check out the Secretary of State’s website. 🚨 Attorney general – Democrats Current Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, a Republican, pursued an unsuccessful run for governor rather than run for reelection. District Attorney George Brauchler is running unopposed and will be the Republican nominee, and Democrats state Rep. Joe Salazar and Phil Weiser competed for the chance to face him in the general election. With 550,000 ballots counted by 4 a.m. Wednesday, Weiser and Salazar were closer than they were Tuesday night — with 50.78 percent to 49.22 percent of the vote, respectively, with 94 percent of counties reporting. Salazar has U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ endorsement and a reputation as a progressive who delivers fired-up speeches at the Capitol. He is an attorney and a state representative “Moderate doesn’t win Colorado anymore, it’s the progressive left that wins Colorado,” he previously said. He has been sharply critical of Weiser, and he has said that he wants to follow California’s lead in staunchly opposing federal efforts in immigration enforcement. Weiser, a first-time candidate, said he was running a “clean” campaign and wouldn’t criticize Salazar. Like Salazar, he wants the feds to butt out of marijuana issues. Weiser previously worked for the Justice Department under presidents Clinton and Obama. He has the endorsement of Gov. John Hickenlooper. 🏁 Governor – Democrats: Jared Polis Here’s Esteban’s story on the gubernatorial race. Gov. John Hickenlooper is term-limited. Mike Johnston, Cary Kennedy, Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne and Rep. Jared Polis competed to win their party’s nomination. With about 444,100 ballots counted at 8:01 p.m., Polis had a wide lead with 44 percent of votes, followed by Kennedy with 25 percent, Johnston with 23 percent and Lynne with 7 percent. By about 8 p.m., Kennedy had called Polis to concede. At Polis’ watch party in Broomfield, Jennifer Seigel, 53, and Ann Barry, 59, were cautiously optimistic that Polis will take the primary half an hour after polls closed. “We’ve been burned before,” Siegel said. Barry is a recent immigrant from Canada who’s voting in her first election since arriving in the U.S. Immigration, she said, is a big issue for her. “it’s an emotional issue, it pulls at our heartstrings,” Seigel said, “But for me, I chose Jared because he is the perfect mix of business savvy and earned success and a caring heart.” Kennedy’s watch party was at Denver restaurant La Rumba. There, Jonathan Marquez, 27 and Erika Kelley, 26, said they have never been to an elections event before. It’s the “excitement around the campaign” that got them out, Marquez said. They found Kennedy through research online, and they perceive her as a more moderate candidate than alternatives in both parties. “Coming out of the last election, I wanted someone who had the opportunity to win,” Kelley said. Marquez describes her as “realistic about what she can achieve,” and he likes her track record in the party. Mike, a 32-year-old who went out to Johnston’s election party from Lakewood, likes Johnston’s ideas, and believed his centrist appeal had the best chance of winning in the general election against a Republican candidate. Johnston, 43, previously was the state senator for Senate 33 in northeast Denver. He also has worked as a teacher and principal, but he hasn’t been able to match Cary Kennedy’s support among educators, in part because he pushed for reforms to hold teachers more accountable to student performance. He’s trailed both her and Jared Polis in the polls, and he’s seen as a more centrist candidate. Kennedy, 48, grew up on the Front Range and started her career as a budget analyst for Gov. Roy Romer in the 1990s. Later, she served as state treasurer from 2007 until she was unseated by Republican Walker Stapleton in 2011, and then as deputy mayor to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. She has made public schools a central plank of her platform, and she previously wrote Amendment 23, which aimed to increase schools funding. She had strong union support. Lynne, 64, is Colorado’s current lieutenant governor and a former health-care executive. She previously worked in finance, operations and health care in New York City’s government. Lynne made a splash in the race when she had a “Fight for Colorado” tattoo inked, but she’s widely considered to be the underdog, especially due to her low fundraising. Polis, 43, has served Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District since 2009, and before that he was on the Colorado State Board of Education. He’s poured his own money — a product of his internet businesses and good timing — into his campaigns and has a reputation for flustering fellow Democrats. From early on, he was seen as the Democratic frontrunner thanks to his money, and it’s likely his entry into the race is what chased then-favorite Rep. Ed Perlmutter back to running for reelection to the House. 🏁 Governor – Republicans: Walker Stapleton Here’s Esteban’s story on the gubernatorial race. Greg Lopez, Victor Mitchell, Doug Robinson and Stapleton competed to win their party’s nomination.<doc-sep>Representative Jared Polis and Colorado Treasurer Walker Stapleton will face off in the governor's race. ^ Keep Westword Free Support Us Local Community Journalism I Support Support the independent voice of Denver and help keep the future of Westword free. Support Us There wasn't a lot of suspense in the June 26 Colorado primary, especially when it came to the highest-profile race, for the state's governor. Despite a crowded field of both Democratic and Republican aspirants, the favorites in each category, Representative Jared Polis and Colorado Treasurer Walker Stapleton, cruised to easy and early victories. But some of the other contests were closer. We've got updated results for every single one. The closest things to nail-biters among the state offices up for vote yesterday involved the Republican contest for a state treasurer nominee and the face-off for the right to represent the Democrats as their candidate for state attorney general. According to results updated by the Colorado Secretary of State's Office at 4:01 a.m., Brian Watson led the Republican treasurer race with 37.98 percent of the vote compared to Justin Everett's 36.96 percent, with 94 percent of ballots counted. In the Democratic AG race, Phil Weiser had 50.78 percent to Joe Salazar's 49.22 percent, also with 94 percent of the results. None of the congressional candidates were truly tested, though Doug Lamborn did have to best four challengers, including former U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn, in order to move forward in the process following a controversy over petitioning. As for those up for state senate and representative seats, most ran unopposed, including the Republican nominee for Senate District 34, Alexander "Skinny" Winkler. But with a name like that, he was already a winner. Continue for the updated results in every race for both parties as of 4 a.m. STATE OFFICES Governor — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Cary Kennedy — 24.74 percent — 144,925 votes Jared Polis — 44.66 percent — 261,632 votes Mike Johnston — 23.32 percent — 136,625 Donna Lynne — 7.28 percent — 42,651 votes Total votes: 585,833 Governor — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Walker Stapleton — 47.90 percent — 229,573 votes Greg Lopez — 13.06 percent — 62,591 votes Doug Robinson — 8.89 percent — 42,630 votes Victor Mitchell — 30.14 percent — 144,468 votes Total votes: 479,262 Secretary of State — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Jena Griswold — 100.00 percent — 470,438 Total votes: 470,438 Secretary of State — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Wayne Williams — 100.00 percent — 396,280 votes Total votes: 396,280 State Treasurer — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Dave Young — 68.17 — 338,139 votes Bernard Douthit — 31.83 percent — 157,916 votes Total votes: 496,055 State Treasurer — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Justin Everett — 36.96 percent — 159,423 votes Polly Lawrence — 25.06 percent — 108,107 votes Brian Watson — 37.98 percent — 163,862 votes Total votes: 431,392 Attorney General — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Phil Weiser — 50.78 percent — 279,482 votes Joe Salazar — 49.22 percent — 270,860 votes Total votes: 550,342 Attorney General — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent George Brauchler — 100.00 percent — 399,954 votes Total votes: 399,954 State Board of Education Member — Congressional District 2 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 90 percent Angelika Schroeder — 100.00 percent — 92,637 votes Total votes: 92,637 State Board of Education Member — Congressional District 2 — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 90 percent Johnny Barrett — 100.00 percent — 50,111 votes Total votes: 50,111 State Board of Education Member — Congressional District 4 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 91 percent Tim Krug — 100.000 percent — 46,635 votes Total votes: 46,635 State Board of Education Member — Congressional District 4 — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 91 percent Debora L. Scheffel — 100.00 percent — 75,645 votes Total votes: 75,645 Regent of the University of Colorado — At Large — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Lesley Smith — 100.00 percent — 459,957 Total votes: 459,957 Regent of the University of Colorado — At Large — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 94 percent Ken Montera — 100.00 percent — 386,215 votes Total votes: 386,215 Regent of the University of Colorado — Congressional District 3 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 97 percent Alvin Rivera — 100.00 percent — 53,053 votes Total votes: 53,053 Regent of the University of Colorado — Congressional District 3 — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 97 percent Glen H. Gallegos — 100.00 percent — 54,629 votes Total votes: 54,629 Regent of the University of Colorado — Congressional District 5 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 80 percent Tony Wolusky — 100.00 percent — 43,730 votes Total votes: 43,730 Regent of the University of Colorado — Congressional District 5 — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 80 percent Chance Hill — 100.00 percent — 82,306 votes Total votes: 82,306 District Attorney - 20th Judicial District — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: N/A Mike Foote — 39.92 percent — 21,028 votes Michael Dougherty — 60.08 percent — 31,650 votes Total votes: 52,678 U.S. CONGRESS Representative to the 116th United States Congress — District 1 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 100 percent Diana DeGette — 70.94 percent — 74,788 votes Saira Rao — 29.06 percent — 30,631 votes Total votes: 105,419 Representative to the 116th United States Congress — District 1 — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 100 percent Charles Casper Stockham — 100.00 percent — 26,735 votes Total votes: 26,735 Representative to the 116th United States Congress — District 2 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 90 percent Joe Neguse — 66.00 percent — 73,120 votes Mark Williams — 34.00 percent — 37,670 votes Total votes: 110,790 Representative to the 116th United States Congress — District 2 — Republican Party Counties Reporting: 90 percent Peter Yu — 100.00 percent — 44,089 votes Total votes: 44,089 Representative to the 116th United States Congress — District 3 — Democratic Party Counties Reporting: 97 percent Diane Mitsch Bush — 64.06 percent — 41,660 votes Karl Hanlon — 27.74 percent — 18,042 votes Arn Menconi — 8.20 percent — 5,333 votes Total votes: 65,035<doc-sep>'Not A Monster': Devon Erickson's Defense Attorney Says STEM School Shooting Suspect Was 'Confused Kid'Devon Erickson has pleaded not guilty to murder in the deadly shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch on May 7, 2019. 6 hours ago Trail Ridge Road Could Reopen As Soon As Friday At Rocky Mountain National ParkTrail Ridge Road could reopen as soon as Friday in Rocky Mountain National Park, if weather and conditions allow. 7 hours ago DICK's Sporting Goods Park To Operate At Full Capacity Starting July 4DICKS's Sporting Goods Park will hold Colorado Rapids games at full capacity starting July 4. The club made the announcement on Thursday ahead of their home match on the Fourth of July against Seattle Sounders FC. 7 hours ago Vaccinated Veterans May Not Be Entered To Win $1 Million PrizeSome veterans are not currently among those who will get a chance at the $1 million Colorado lottery prizes. 7 hours ago Video: Bag Piping Thornton Police Officer Leads 5th Grade 'Eagle Flight' At Silver Creek ElementaryStudents finishing fifth grade at Silver Creek Elementary in Thornton had a special escort as they took off of for the next chapter of their lives. 7 hours ago Vaccinated And Entered To Win? Make Sure You're Eligible To Win $1 Million From ColoradoAs Coloradans started researching their own records, many noticed their vaccinations were either not listed on the state’s website, or they were not listed as a known resident of Colorado. 8 hours ago<doc-sep>'Not A Monster': Devon Erickson's Defense Attorney Says STEM School Shooting Suspect Was 'Confused Kid'Devon Erickson has pleaded not guilty to murder in the deadly shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch on May 7, 2019. 6 hours ago Trail Ridge Road Could Reopen As Soon As Friday At Rocky Mountain National ParkTrail Ridge Road could reopen as soon as Friday in Rocky Mountain National Park, if weather and conditions allow. 7 hours ago DICK's Sporting Goods Park To Operate At Full Capacity Starting July 4DICKS's Sporting Goods Park will hold Colorado Rapids games at full capacity starting July 4. The club made the announcement on Thursday ahead of their home match on the Fourth of July against Seattle Sounders FC. 7 hours ago Vaccinated Veterans May Not Be Entered To Win $1 Million PrizeSome veterans are not currently among those who will get a chance at the $1 million Colorado lottery prizes. 7 hours ago Video: Bag Piping Thornton Police Officer Leads 5th Grade 'Eagle Flight' At Silver Creek ElementaryStudents finishing fifth grade at Silver Creek Elementary in Thornton had a special escort as they took off of for the next chapter of their lives. 7 hours ago Vaccinated And Entered To Win? Make Sure You're Eligible To Win $1 Million From ColoradoAs Coloradans started researching their own records, many noticed their vaccinations were either not listed on the state’s website, or they were not listed as a known resident of Colorado. 8 hours ago<doc-sep>
Jim Hill/CPR News The 2018 primary is the state's first where unaffiliated voters could participate in the major party's primaries. Independent voters received two ballots, but only one can be returned. The state's largest voting bloc — unaffiliated voters — is adding a new dimension to the race to succeed two-term Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper. The 2018 primary is the first election since the 2016 voter-passed initiative that opened up the state's major party primaries. Will it have an impact? Tonight's results will be telling. Where We Stand The Latest 9:43 p.m. — We're wrapping up the live blog. Thanks for hanging with us tonight. If you're looking for the primary results, you can find them here. 9:37 p.m. — State Rep. Dave Young wins the Democratic primary for treasurer: The lawmaker from Greeley handily defeated Bernard Douthit, a businessman and political newcomer from Denver. Young will face the winner of a tightly contested Republican primary in November. As of this update, Brian Watson held the lead in the three-way contest for the GOP nomination. Results can be found here. 9:26 p.m. — Polis is promising a "bold" campaign: Polis won the nomination Tuesday night in a four-way contest. "I'm running for governor to protect our Colorado way of life from the special interests who try to stack the deck in their favor," he told supporters at a hotel in Broomfield. Polis was a successful businessman before entering politics. He spent $12 million on his primary campaign. That allowed him to reject donations from political campaign committees. He's expected to tap his fortune more in the general election. Jared Polis closed out his victory speech saying it's time for a coalition of Democrats, Unaffiliated and "rational Republicans" to stop Donald Trump and Walker Stapleton. Tom Parsons was one of the first to get a hug from the gubentorial nominee. The longtime Polis supporter says this is a ray of hope on a tough day for Democrats. "Jared is the future," he said. #copolitics pic.twitter.com/Y4SnVnesrv — Sam Brasch (@samuelbrasch) June 27, 2018 9:02 p.m. — Colorado hasn't elected a Republican governor since Bill Owens: In a victory speech shortly after winning the Republican primary for governor, Colorado state Treasurer Walker Stapleton thanked his supporters and quickly pivoted to the general election, taking shots at his Democratic opponent. “Jared Polis supports a government takeover of healthcare.” #copolitics pic.twitter.com/y6t87XJtiX — Ann Marie Awad (@AnnAwad) June 27, 2018 Stapleton is already laying the groundwork for a narrative that Polis is a tax-and-spend radical progressive. Meanwhile, Stapleton will sell himself as a prudent fiscal conservative, keeping the conversation about PERA and the tax plan. "Make no mistake, as governor, Jared Polis will raise every tax and fee he can to take more money from hardworking Coloradans," Stapleton said, according to remarks provided by his campaign. 8:35 p.m. — Just over 10,000 votes separate the Democratic AG's race: Phil Weiser, who worked for the University of Colorado law school, is leading 51 percent to state Rep. Joe Salazar, who had garnered 48 percent. The seat is open because current Republican Attorney General Cynthia Coffman is not running again. Whichever Democrat wins will face Republican George Brauchler, the Arapahoe County District Attorney. 8:23 p.m. — Cary Kennedy has conceded: The small amount of tension that was present in the race was between Kennedy and Rep. Jared Polis, over an attack ad from a PAC that supported Kennedy. Now, she is throwing her weight behind Polis to "make sure that Walker Stapleton does not become the next Colorado governor." Kennedy emphasized the need to not just rally around Polis, but to also claim Democratic seats in the statehouse and state Senate, as well as the Attorney General's office. "There are 134 days until the election, 134 days to make sure we keep the governor's office blue in Colorado," she said in her speech. 7:54 p.m. — AP calls the Democratic U.S. House race in the 6th Congressional District for Jason Crow: The race garnered national attention after Crow's opponent publicized efforts by leading Democrats to force him out of the race. Crow is a veteran and party leaders saw him as the best chance to defeat Republican Mike Coffman who also served overseas.