November 18, 2024 02:24 PM UTC

Peace Out, 2024: The 2026 Big Line is Here

• 5 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

The 2024 election cycle is (mostly) over with, which means it’s time for our annual ritual of brushing the latest election aside and looking ahead to the next one.

The Big Line: 2026 is here!

There will be lots of changes here as candidates mull their respective futures, but this is how things look to us as of, well, now. As you peruse the new Big Line, remember that Democrat Kamala Harris carried Colorado by 11 points and no Republican has won a statewide office in Colorado since 2014 (other than CU Regent, which we’re not really counting). In fact, the last time we had a bunch of statewide races on the ballot — in 2022 — no Republican candidate came within 10 points of a Democratic opponent.

With Republicans unlikely to compete for a statewide race and seven of Colorado’s eight Congressional Districts stuck on “uncompetitive” status, the action in 2026 is likely to be focused on the June Primary Election. Click here for the full Big Line or keep reading for a brief assessment of the bigger races ahead…

U.S. SENATE

Democrat John Hickenlooper is running for re-election for what he says will be his final term in the U.S. Senate. Hickenlooper knocked off incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner by 9 points in 2020 and has won his last three elections (two for Governor and one for Senate) by that same average margin. Even if Republicans could unearth a top-tier candidate, it would be an uphill climb to make this race competitive.

GOVERNOR

This is where all the action will be in 2026, with three well-known Democrats vying for the party’s nomination: Congressman Joe Neguse, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and Secretary of State Jena Griswold. This looked to be more of a close three-way race before Griswold committed political seppuku just before the 2024 election. Former Senator Ken Salazar, who nobody under the age of 40 could pick out of a lineup, is also contemplating one last run in Colorado; it’s hard to see how this does NOT come down to Neguse and Weiser, however.

There are lots of potential candidates on the Republican side, from Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen to a probable third attempt by “Congressman” Greg Lopez, but none of this really matters.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

There have been a lot of names mentioned for this open seat, but none of them with a great deal of conviction. Democrats have a lot of potential candidates, including Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty and Jefferson County DA Alexis King. Republicans have…bupkis.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Former Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder George Stern has already signaled his intentions to run for Democrats, though others may follow. For Republicans, Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis is believed to be ready to roll. Of all the available statewide offices, this might be the best option for Republicans because they can run against Jena Griswold’s, um, record.

STATE TREASURER

Raise your hand if you knew this job still existed. We’re joking (sort of). Fremont County Commissioner Kevin Grantham may be interested in a campaign for Republicans, while a host of Democrats are taking a long look — including State Rep. Brianna Titone.

CO-08

Democrat Yadira Caraveo won a close race to be the first person to hold this seat in 2022. Republican Gabe Evans narrowly defeated Caraveo in 2024. Evans will likely find it harder to defend this seat than it was to win it in the first place — particularly without Donald Trump on the ballot — and there are a lot of Democrats who will at least consider a campaign.