Phil Weiser defeated Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor of Colorado on June 30. Incumbent Jared Polis (D) was term-limited.
Bennet, a U.S. senator from Colorado, and Weiser, the state's attorney general, made resisting President Donald Trump (R) and affordability central to their campaigns. On resisting Trump, both accused the other of not doing enough. Weiser criticized Bennet for supporting some of Trump's cabinet nominees, saying, "I’m not afraid to do the right thing when there are political consequences. It is important that leaders lead with their values and fight for what is right." Bennet said Weiser's resistance of the Trump administration was simply "joining someone else’s lawsuit that’s been filed against Donald Trump and saying that 'I’m fighting, fighting, fighting Donald Trump.'"
Weiser claimed he was the candidate of Colorado, while Bennet was the candidate of Washington: "One of us is working at the state level, knows our state really well. And the other is in Washington, with 17 years of experience, where we should keep him, serving us where he can best use this avenue for Colorado." Bennet said, "I've spent more time in every corner of the state than I think any elected official in generations. And I hope to be able to bring that set of experiences, which I think is every bit as valuable–maybe even more valuable–than the experience that I've had on the Senate floor."
Bennet was first appointed to the Senate in 2009 to fill the vacancy left by Ken Salazar (D). Before the appointment, Bennet was the superintendent of Denver Public Schools. He said, "Too many Coloradans struggle to afford to live here; our state’s budget is in crisis; and, President Trump has waged an all-out assault on our values and economy. I’m running for governor to build a brighter future in Colorado and give people a chance at a better life. ... Together, we can make Colorado the best state to live, work, and raise a family in, and provide the leadership and vision our country needs."
Weiser was elected attorney general of Colorado in 2018. Before the election, Weiser was a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. He said, "As your Attorney General, I have taken on big fights for the people of Colorado. And there is more work to do to make Colorado a more affordable, safer place to live, to defend our freedoms, and to protect our land, air, and water. ... I’m running for Governor because I will be a leader for all of Colorado, taking on big fights for the people of Colorado, and providing a vision for a better future."
Colorado Newsline's Chase Woodruff wrote, "The winner of the primary ... will be heavily favored to win the general election in November." Since 1975, Colorado has had one Republican governor, Bill Owens (1999-2007). The state has been a Democratic trifecta since 2019 and has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 2008. Woodruff added, "[Democrats] are widely expected to gain ground in a favorable midterm election year."
