Phil Weiser defeats Michael Bennet in Democratic primary for Colorado governor, AP projects

DENVER - Attorney General Phil Weiser has defeated U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the Democratic race for governor, the Associated Press projected just before 8 p.m., settling a yearlong campaign between the Democratic heavyweights.

As of 7:56 p.m. Mountain time, Weiser was leading by nearly 55% to 45%, according to the secretary of state's office. More than 620,000 Democratic primary ballots had been counted statewide so far.

Shortly after a recent results update, Weiser's campaign began handing out campaign signs to guests at the standing-room-only watch party at Ace Eat Serve, a restaurant in Denver's Uptown neighborhood.

The race is settling the question of whether Bennet or Weiser will represent their party in the fall's general election for governor. Weiser, the sitting attorney general, has run a relatively insurgent-flavored campaign against Bennet, a U.S. senator who made the rare decision that he wanted to leave Washington, D.C., for the governor's mansion in his home state.

As of 6:40 p.m., 300 people had arrived to Weiser's watch party. The crowd broke into chants of "Phil! Phil! Phil!" when the candidate appeared. Weiser made his way through the crowd, greeting guests - though he took an extra few beats to chat with former Gov. Roy Romer, an early endorser of Weiser's campaign for governor.

Just south of downtown Denver, about 100 people had gathered at Bennet's election night watch party at Schoolyard Beer Garden a half-hour before polls closed. Philip Broenniman, an independent voter who lives in Boulder, said he supported Bennet because of the politician's centrist stances.

"We need common-sense management with someone who has experience, knows the landscape and can be effective," he said.

Neither candidate entered the home stretch with a sense he had a commanding lead in the lightly polled race. The most recent public poll, paid for by a super PAC backing Weiser's campaign, showed the attorney general with a lead over Bennet. Neither man broke 50%, however, as nearly 1 in 5 likely Democratic voters still hadn't made up their mind by the final week of the primary.

The contest has included barbs over whose experience would best translate to success leading Colorado over the next four years. Both candidates made economic mobility and affordability central to their messages for voters.

Weiser, first elected during the 2018 blue wave after winning a tight primary contest, argued nearly eight years as the state's top lawyer showed he's able to lead a large office, work with lawmakers, administer programs, and craft and enforce regulations.

He's also cited the dozens of lawsuits he's filed or joined against the Trump administration as proof he's the fighter Colorado wants. The state voted heavily against Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.

Bennet entered the governor's race in April 2025, a few months after Weiser. His name recognition and popularity among the Democratic base as a thrice-elected U.S. senator - and the fundraising and campaign infrastructure connections that entailed - helped clear the field.

He framed his pitch of building a more affordable Colorado as necessary "to drive a stake through Trumpism."

Millions of dollars flowed into each campaign throughout the primary. Weiser beat out Bennet in direct cash contributions, with about $6.5 million to the senator's $4.8 million. Bennet also loaned his campaign nearly $1 million.

The super PAC backing Bennet through outside spending, Rocky Mountain Way, more than made up the gap. Rocky Mountain Way has reported a haul of more than $11.4 million. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg alone accounted for $5.1 million of that.

The super PAC backing Weiser, Fighting for Colorado, reported raising $1.3 million. The super PACs are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, including from groups that do not have to disclose their donors, but can't coordinate with the campaigns.

The winner of Tuesday's primary will head to the general election, where he will face either Republican state Rep. Scott Bottoms, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer or ministry leader Victor Marx, as well as unaffiliated and third-party candidates.

The Democratic nominee will also have history on his side when it comes to the November election. Democrats have a strong track record for more than 50 years, winning all but two contests for the state's top job in that time, and every one since 2006.

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