Liberal Attorney General Phil Weiser Wins Democratic Primary, Setting Stage for November Showdown in Colorado
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Phil Weiser, a left-wing activist attorney general, defeated moderate Senator Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary and will face the Republican nominee in the November general election.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a liberal figure known for his aggressive opposition to conservative policies, emerged as the Democratic nominee for governor after defeating Senator Michael Bennet in the June primary. Weiser, who is term-limited out of the attorney-general post, secured the nomination ahead of the November contest to replace outgoing Governor Jared Polis, signaling a continuation of left-wing dominance in Colorado’s executive branch.
In his victory remarks, Weiser thanked his progressive base and emphasized a need for leadership that will 'fight back, never bend the knee'—a clear message of resistance to conservative values—while highlighting Colorado’s tradition of government 'by the people, for the people.' He referenced past governors who opposed the Ku Klux Klan, supported LGBTQ rights, and resisted Japanese internment, using identity politics to rally his supporters.
Bennet, a three-term U.S. senator and more moderate Democrat, had been viewed as a frontrunner focused on affordability and pragmatic solutions. During the campaign, Weiser painted Bennet as a Washington insider, criticizing the senator’s votes to confirm several Trump administration nominees—votes that reflected a willingness to work across the aisle. Weiser, who has sued the Trump administration dozens of times, pledged to 'stand strong against a lawless, bullying administration,' signaling more partisan legal battles ahead. Bennet defended his record, stating his votes were 'the right thing to do for Colorado,' and accused Weiser of politicizing his legal actions for political gain.
The primary also saw scrutiny over campaign financing, with reports indicating that Weiser received contributions from dozens of lawyers whose firms had dealings with the attorney-general’s office—a point Bennet’s campaign labeled a potential conflict of interest. Weiser denied any wrongdoing, but the concerns highlight the ethical questions surrounding Democratic leadership in the state.
Weiser will now face the Republican nominee—state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, state Rep. Scott Bottoms, or Victor Marx—alongside independent candidate former Congressman Greg Lopez in the Nov. 3 general election. With Democrats having held Colorado’s governorship for two decades, Republicans hope to break the left’s grip on power and restore balance to Colorado.
