Colorado voters head to the polls Tuesday for a state primary that will determine the Democratic nominee to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and state Attorney General Phil Weiser competing for the party’s nod.
The Democratic gubernatorial primary will not only decide who might lead Colorado as President Donald Trump wages what Weiser has described as a “revenge campaign” against the state and its outgoing governor, but it could also create an opening in the closely divided U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press.
If Bennet wins the nomination and the general election, he would need to vacate his U.S. Senate seat, allowing the governor to name a replacement until the next general election in 2028. Bennet has said that he would hold his seat right up until taking office and appoint his own replacement, rather than allowing Polis to make the pick.
Republicans will also choose a nominee for governor Tuesday, while voters across the state will finalize general election matchups for U.S. Senate and U.S. House.