Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 6.29.26: Coloradans to weigh in on competitive primaries

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

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* With one day remaining before primary day in Colorado, contests that were largely expected to be lopsided affairs have become far more interesting in recent weeks. In the state’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, for example, Sen. Michael Bennet was generally seen as a lock, though state Attorney General Phil Weiser has largely erased the senator’s lead and is eyeing an upset.

Relatedly, Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper, a former governor, is seeking a second term as he faces a primary challenge from state Sen. Julie Gonzales, who’s taking on the incumbent from the left.

Meanwhile, in Denver, Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette wasn’t seen as vulnerable, but she’s on the defensive against democratic socialist Melat Kiros, who has a surprisingly robust campaign operation. Earlier this month, DeGette and her allies started running campaign ads, suggesting they saw signs of real trouble, although it’s an open question as to whether those efforts have come too late to help rescue the longtime congresswoman.

* As expected, Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary runoff Saturday and is now heavily favored to succeed incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy. Letlow, who was backed by Donald Trump, prevailed over former Rep. John Fleming by roughly 14 points.