Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stunned Sen. Michael Bennet on Tuesday, defeating the three-term Democrat in the state’s closely watched gubernatorial primary and blocking Bennet’s attempted jump from Washington back to Denver.
Weiser’s win over Bennet, a former 2020 presidential candidate and one of Colorado’s best-known Democrats, marked a major upset in a race many had expected the senator to win.
The victory puts Weiser in prime position to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in a state where Democrats have dominated recent statewide elections.
It also means Bennet is expected to remain in the Senate, avoiding what could have become a messy vacancy fight had he won the governor’s mansion in November.
“Phil has dedicated his life to the law, justice, and public service,” says Weiser’s campaign website. “As your Governor he will continue to advance the rule of law, protect our democracy, and promote justice for all. Phil Weiser will continue to defend and protect every Coloradan across the state.”
The primary pitted two top Colorado Democrats against each other.
Bennet entered the race with the backing of much of the state’s Democratic establishment, including Sen. John Hickenlooper, Reps. Joe Neguse, Jason Crow and Brittany Pettersen, along with state legislative leaders, labor groups and more than 200 Colorado leaders.
But the heavyweight endorsements were not enough.
Weiser, a two-term attorney general, leaned on his legal background and his record as the state’s top lawyer while arguing he was better prepared to fight for Colorado from the governor’s office.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) Concession Speech in Governor Primary pic.twitter.com/glqPHn7WPF
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 1, 2026
His campaign touted support from former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, former Rep. Ed Perlmutter, former Denver Mayor Federico Peña, former Sen. Tim Wirth, local officials, state lawmakers and progressive groups.
Bennet argued during the campaign that he could do more as governor than in the Senate, especially when it came to fighting President Donald Trump and advancing Democratic priorities.
Weiser made the case that Colorado needed a governor with executive experience and a record of taking legal fights directly to the opposition.
The result was a bruising loss for Bennet, who tried to trade his Senate seat for the governor’s residence and got rejected by his own party’s voters.
Polis, a Democrat, is barred by term limits from seeking another four years after eight years in office.
Weiser now moves into the general election as the clear favorite.
On the Republican side, Barb Kirkmeyer was leading the GOP primary Tuesday evening when the Democratic race was called.
Victor Marx and Scott Bottoms were trailing in the Republican contest.
Whoever emerges as the GOP nominee will face an uphill battle against Weiser in November.
Colorado has shifted heavily toward Democrats in statewide races, making the governor’s race a tough climb for Republicans even after a bitter Democratic primary.
For Bennet, the loss is a brutal reminder that national name recognition and establishment muscle do not always translate into primary votes.
For Weiser, it is the biggest win of his political career and a likely ticket to the governor’s mansion.
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