Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) secured his party's nomination for a second term Tuesday, defeating state Sen. Julie Gonzales in a Democratic primary that tested the strength of the progressive movement in the Centennial State.
Decision Desk HQ called the race for Hickenlooper, who overcame a surprisingly robust challenge from Gonzales, a labor organizer and state senator who campaigned as a true progressive. Gonzales hammered Hickenlooper as a "do-nothing Dem" for voting to confirm 10 Trump cabinet nominees, a line of attack that resonated with the party's left flank.
The primary drew extra attention after a string of progressive victories in New York and elsewhere earlier this month, raising hopes among activists that a similar upset could unfold in Colorado. But those hopes fell short, as Hickenlooper's name recognition and moderate record proved decisive.
A Colorado Community Research poll from earlier in June showed Hickenlooper leading by 7 percentage points, with a significant 25% of voters undecided. While some later surveys suggested the race tightening, the incumbent enjoyed a massive name-ID advantage: 56% of voters in that poll said they hadn't heard enough about Gonzales to form an opinion.
Hickenlooper now moves to the general election, where he will face Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary. The seat is rated as solidly Democratic, making Hickenlooper a heavy favorite to retain it in November.
The 74-year-old moderate first won the seat in a 2020 landslide, adding to a political resume that includes stints as Colorado governor and Denver mayor. His victory marks a setback for the progressive wing of the party, which has been gaining ground in recent cycles—as seen in battles over the DSA's influence in Colorado primaries and the broader surge of democratic socialism nationally.
Hickenlooper's win also keeps the seat in Democratic hands, a crucial hold as the party defends its narrow Senate majority. The general election matchup against Baisley is expected to be low-key, with most attention focused on competitive House races like the key battleground in the state's 8th District, where Democrat Yadira Rutinel will face vulnerable GOP Rep. Ken Buck.
The primary outcome underscores the enduring power of incumbency and moderate branding in Colorado, even as the party's base shifts leftward. For now, Hickenlooper's path to a second term appears clear.
