Dem
47
GOP
53
Colorado used to be a reddish-purple state with a libertarian bent. In 2014, Cory Gardner was elected to the Senate and congressman Bob Beauprez made Democrats sweat in the gubernatorial race. But since Donald Trump arrived on the scene, Colorado has gone deep blue. He is an albatross firmly tied to all Republican candidates in the Centennial State. Four years ago, every Democrat in a statewide race won by double digits.
There are many races on the ballot this year and Democrats are likely to sweep nearly all of them. There are open seats for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) is likely to be reelected in a landslide. All of the state House and half of the state Senate is up. Democrats have huge majorities in both (23D, 12R in the Senate, and 43D, 21R in the House) and are likely to keep them. All eight U.S. House members are up and Democrats have a good chance to flip three seats this year, giving a 7D, 1R delegation. In addition, there are elections for three seats on the board of education, three seats on the board of regents, one state supreme court judge, six appellate court judges, and at least two ballot initiatives. In a blue wave, the Democrats could win all the marbles, except that defeating Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is probably a bridge too far since her new district is R+9. A few of the state House and Senate seats are also safe.
If the Republicans botch it, they will be stuck for quite a while. The statewide officers have 4-year terms, the board of education and regents have 6-year terms, the appellate judges have 8-year terms, and the state Supreme Court justices have 10-year terms.
So Republicans are closing ranks and nominating candidates who have a chance in a blue state, right? Well, actually no. Donald Trump just revoked his endorsement of moderate Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO), who would have a tough race this year no matter what, and backed a fire-breathing wingnut named Hope Scheppelman, giving the Democrats a nice pickup opportunity. State GOP fundraising has been abysmal, with only $63,987 cash on hand as of Jan. 31. The vice chair, Richard Holtorf, just resigned, saying it is impossible to work with the chair, Brita Horn. The GOP state central committee just passed a resolution of no confidence in Horn, but she refused to resign.
Meanwhile, 22 Republicans have filed to run for governor, where one of them will have to face off against either Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) or AG Phil Weiser (D) depending on who wins the Democratic primary. The biggest fundraiser on the GOP side is a state senator, Barbara Kirkmeyer, but she is no shoo-in for the nomination. Also near the top is state Rep. Scott Bottoms (R), who claims pedophilia rings are being run out of the state House, Senate, and governor's office. He is obviously confused. Jeffrey Epstein had houses in New York, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but not Colorado. With so many races and the odds stacked against them in what could be a blue wave election, maybe the Republicans ought to get their act together, find moderate Republicans, and back them without messy primaries. But that doesn't seem to be on their agenda. (V)