Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser Wins Democratic Primary for Governor

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser 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 term-limited Governor Jared Polis.

In his victory remarks, Weiser thanked supporters and emphasized a need for leadership that “will fight back, never bend the knee,” while highlighting Colorado’s tradition of government “by the people, for the people.” He also referenced past governors who opposed the Ku Klux Klan, supported LGBTQ rights, and resisted Japanese internment.

Bennet, a three-term U.S. senator, had been viewed as a moderate frontrunner focused on affordability. During the campaign, Weiser framed Bennet as a Washington insider, citing the senator’s votes to confirm several Trump administration nominees. Weiser, who has sued the Trump administration dozens of times, pledged to “stand strong against a lawless, bullying administration.” Bennet responded that his votes were “the right thing to do for Colorado” and accused Weiser of politicizing his legal actions.

The primary also featured scrutiny over campaign financing. Reports indicated 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, which Weiser denied.

Weiser will now contend with 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. Democrats have held Colorado’s governorship for two decades.