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▼ Bad look for HickenlooperElections / Campaigns

Progressive insurgency hits Colorado primaries. Should incumbents be worried?

Hickenlooper faces a primary challenge from state Sen. Julie Gonzales and declined to debate her.

Progressive insurgency hits Colorado primaries. Should incumbents be worried?
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This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026

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Republished from USA Today, with credit to the original publisher.

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13 stories · 79–84 · updated Oct 5, 2026

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Yahoo Newsvia USA Today
Jun 30, 2026
tl;dr

Colorado’s June 30 Democratic primaries feature challenges to Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. John Hickenlooper and Rep. Diana DeGette. Polls and analysts describe close or uncertain contests, with progressive candidates testing whether anti-incumbent energy can overcome incumbency advantages.

Community verdict

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John W. Hickenlooper D · CO · SEN
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John W. Hickenlooper
D · CO · SEN

Colorado senator seeking reelection

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Diana DeGette
D · CO-1

Colorado representative facing a primary challenge

DeGette's version of this story ↗
Michael F. Bennet
D · CO · SEN

Colorado Democratic gubernatorial candidate

Bennet's version of this story ↗

Democratic challenger to Diana DeGette

Kiros's version of this story ↗
Jared Polis
Former U.S. Representative (D-CO)

Colorado governor

New York congressional candidate mentioned as part of a successful progressive slate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States, mentioned in historical and campaign context

Democratic candidate for DeGette’s House seat

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who endorsed Kiros

New York congressional candidate mentioned as part of a successful progressive slate

New York congressional candidate mentioned as part of a successful progressive slate

Colorado state senator and Democratic primary challenger to Hickenlooper

ALSO MENTIONED  Mike Bloomberg, Former New York City mayor and major donor to a Bennet-aligned super PAC; Phil Weiser, Colorado attorney general and Democratic gubernatorial candidate; Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayor whose endorsed congressional candidates are cited as a comparison

Part of a bigger story

2 OUTLETS
Colorado Democratic Primaries Test Incumbent Lawmakers

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