Summary (tl;dr)

Phil Weiser, the current Colorado Attorney General, has won the Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado, defeating incumbent U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in a significant upset. He is now considered the strong favorite for the November general election.

Essential Background

Phil Weiser has served as the Attorney General of Colorado since 2019, having been elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He was term-limited out of his current office. Leading up to this primary, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who has served in the Senate since 2009, was initially seen as the frontrunner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Weiser's campaign highlighted his record of challenging the Trump administration and positioning himself as a fighter for Coloradans.

The Full Story

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser secured the Democratic nomination for Governor on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, triumphing over U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. The Associated Press called the race for Weiser as he held a 10-percentage-point lead over Bennet, marking an unexpected upset given Bennet's initial advantages in name recognition and early polling. Weiser's campaign emphasized his commitment to "fight back" against what he described as a "lawless, bullying" Trump administration, a message that resonated with the Democratic primary electorate and contributed to a late surge in momentum. Weiser pledged to ensure that government "works for all of us, not only the wealthy few."

Why It Matters

Weiser's victory is highly significant as it positions him as the likely next Governor of Colorado. Given the state's consistent preference for Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Weiser is heavily favored to win the general election in November. This upset also signals a potential shift within the Democratic Party, where candidates with a strong progressive stance and a clear willingness to challenge federal policies are gaining traction. His win reflects a preference among Colorado Democrats for a leader who will actively confront perceived federal overreach and advocate for progressive causes.

Geographic Location

• Denver, Denver County, Colorado, United States (Phil Weiser's primary victory watch party)
• Colorado, United States (statewide Democratic gubernatorial primary election)