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Colorado Attorney General Weiser defeats US senator Hickenlooper in Democratic primary for governor

By Thomson Reuters Jun 30, 2026 | 9:21 PM

June 30 (Reuters) – Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser beat U.S. Senator Michael Bennet for ​the Democratic nomination for ‌governor on Tuesday, U.S. media projected.

Weiser outraised and outspent Bennet in a race that was largely about who ‌was ​best positioned to ⁠defend Colorado against ⁠President Donald Trump, who froze federal funds to the state and vetoed a major drinking ​water project in Colorado, which has trended Democratic in ⁠elections over the ⁠last 20 years.

The attorney ​general argued that he stood ​up to the administration in court, ‌where he fought against the funding freeze and the president’s attempt to end birthright ⁠citizenship.

Weiser is expected to be elected governor in November. Democrat Kamala Harris won ⁠the ‌state by 11 percentage ⁠points in the 2024 ​presidential ‌election.

Despite losing as a ​sitting senator, ⁠Bennet will not have to give up his seat, which isn’t up for reelection until 2028.

(Editing by Michael Learmonth and ​Cynthia Osterman)