Colorado Democrats Prepare for Potential Upset as Insurgent Candidates Gain Momentum
DeGette, meanwhile, is facing a challenge from a little-known progressive, who has gained traction by criticizing the congresswoman's ties to the party establishment. The challenger, Neal Walia, has been able to tap into the same anti-establishment sentiment that has propelled other insurgent candidates to victory in recent primaries.
Internal polling has shown that DeGette's lead is narrower than expected, with some surveys indicating that the race is within single digits. This has prompted concern among DeGette's allies, who had initially expected her to cruise to victory given her three decades of experience in Congress.
The dynamics of the DeGette-Walia race are similar to those in the Bennet-Weiser contest, with the challenger seeking to portray the incumbent as out of touch with the party's progressive base. Walia has criticized DeGette for her support of certain bipartisan bills and her ties to the Democratic leadership, which he argues have hindered the party's ability to push for more radical change.
As the primaries approach, Colorado Democrats are bracing for the possibility that one or both of these longtime incumbents could be toppled. The state's Democratic establishment is on high alert, with many operatives and strategists acknowledging that the anti-establishment sentiment that has swept the country could have a significant impact on the outcome of these races.
The fact that both Bennet and DeGette are facing serious challenges from the left reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party, in which progressive candidates are increasingly able to mount credible challenges to more moderate incumbents. This trend has been driven in part by the party's shift to the left in recent years, as well as a growing sense of frustration among Democratic voters with the party's leadership and its inability to pass key pieces of legislation.
With the primaries just days away, the outcome of these races is far from certain. However, one thing is clear: the results will have significant implications for the future of the Democratic Party in Colorado and beyond.
The anxiety surrounding DeGette's campaign has been building for months, but it wasn't until recent weeks that her team's concern turned to alarm. Internal polling showed the race narrowing to within the margin of error, prompting a sense of panic among DeGette's allies. The tightening of the race, combined with the upset victories in New York, finally convinced skeptical donors and allied groups that the threat posed by Kiros was real.
As a result, national groups have poured money into the race in a last-ditch effort to save DeGette, with over $3 million spent in the past month alone. DeGette's side has had a significant spending advantage, with a nearly 3-to-1 edge over Kiros. However, despite this financial advantage, DeGette's campaign is still facing an uphill battle.
A recent private survey showed Hickenlooper in a dead heat with Gonzales in Denver, highlighting the unpredictability of the race. The most recent public poll, conducted in late May, had Hickenlooper leading Gonzales by 41 percent to 34 percent, but with a high number of undecided voters. DeGette's campaign is racing to blunt Kiros' momentum, with outside groups spending heavily to support her.
In a bid to boost her credentials among progressive voters, DeGette has released a last-minute endorsement video from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. However, the move has drawn backlash from some progressives, who point to Kiros' support from Sen. Bernie Sanders and other national progressive leaders.
Kiros, meanwhile, is confident that her campaign's grassroots organizing efforts will be enough to overcome DeGette's financial advantage. With over 5,000 volunteers and a surge of support since the New York primaries, Kiros is planning to capitalize on her momentum with a series of canvasses and events across the city. National DSA chapters are hosting phone banks for Kiros nearly every day, while Denver organizers expect to knock on almost 100,000 doors before polls close. The effort has gained momentum since the upset victories in New York, with Denver DSA adding hundreds of new members this month.
Hasan Piker, a popular Twitch streamer, plans to replicate his successful phone-bank marathon strategy in Colorado, hosting another marathon for Kiros and campaigning in the state on primary day. Piker's efforts in New York were notable, where he hosted marathon livestream phone banks and campaigned alongside DSA candidates on primary day.
Several Colorado Democrats have cautioned that Denver is distinct from New York, with a less liberal leaning, smaller DSA infrastructure, and DeGette's decades-long name recognition and relationships across the district. However, they also acknowledge that Denver has become increasingly younger, more progressive, and receptive to anti-establishment candidates.
A longtime Democratic strategist close to the DeGette campaign noted that the race is now widely recognized, saying, "Everybody now knows this is a race. This is no longer sneaking up on everybody." The strategist expressed concern for DeGette's campaign, stating, "I think DeGette should be very concerned."
Despite this, Friednash believes DeGette still has a chance to win. However, he acknowledged that a Kiros victory would be a significant development, saying, "that's a massive game changer in Colorado politics."
Internal polling has shown that DeGette's lead is narrower than expected, with some surveys indicating that the race is within single digits. This has prompted concern among DeGette's allies, who had initially expected her to cruise to victory given her three decades of experience in Congress.
The dynamics of the DeGette-Walia race are similar to those in the Bennet-Weiser contest, with the challenger seeking to portray the incumbent as out of touch with the party's progressive base. Walia has criticized DeGette for her support of certain bipartisan bills and her ties to the Democratic leadership, which he argues have hindered the party's ability to push for more radical change.
As the primaries approach, Colorado Democrats are bracing for the possibility that one or both of these longtime incumbents could be toppled. The state's Democratic establishment is on high alert, with many operatives and strategists acknowledging that the anti-establishment sentiment that has swept the country could have a significant impact on the outcome of these races.
The fact that both Bennet and DeGette are facing serious challenges from the left reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party, in which progressive candidates are increasingly able to mount credible challenges to more moderate incumbents. This trend has been driven in part by the party's shift to the left in recent years, as well as a growing sense of frustration among Democratic voters with the party's leadership and its inability to pass key pieces of legislation.
With the primaries just days away, the outcome of these races is far from certain. However, one thing is clear: the results will have significant implications for the future of the Democratic Party in Colorado and beyond.
The anxiety surrounding DeGette's campaign has been building for months, but it wasn't until recent weeks that her team's concern turned to alarm. Internal polling showed the race narrowing to within the margin of error, prompting a sense of panic among DeGette's allies. The tightening of the race, combined with the upset victories in New York, finally convinced skeptical donors and allied groups that the threat posed by Kiros was real.
As a result, national groups have poured money into the race in a last-ditch effort to save DeGette, with over $3 million spent in the past month alone. DeGette's side has had a significant spending advantage, with a nearly 3-to-1 edge over Kiros. However, despite this financial advantage, DeGette's campaign is still facing an uphill battle.
A recent private survey showed Hickenlooper in a dead heat with Gonzales in Denver, highlighting the unpredictability of the race. The most recent public poll, conducted in late May, had Hickenlooper leading Gonzales by 41 percent to 34 percent, but with a high number of undecided voters. DeGette's campaign is racing to blunt Kiros' momentum, with outside groups spending heavily to support her.
In a bid to boost her credentials among progressive voters, DeGette has released a last-minute endorsement video from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. However, the move has drawn backlash from some progressives, who point to Kiros' support from Sen. Bernie Sanders and other national progressive leaders.
Kiros, meanwhile, is confident that her campaign's grassroots organizing efforts will be enough to overcome DeGette's financial advantage. With over 5,000 volunteers and a surge of support since the New York primaries, Kiros is planning to capitalize on her momentum with a series of canvasses and events across the city. National DSA chapters are hosting phone banks for Kiros nearly every day, while Denver organizers expect to knock on almost 100,000 doors before polls close. The effort has gained momentum since the upset victories in New York, with Denver DSA adding hundreds of new members this month.
Hasan Piker, a popular Twitch streamer, plans to replicate his successful phone-bank marathon strategy in Colorado, hosting another marathon for Kiros and campaigning in the state on primary day. Piker's efforts in New York were notable, where he hosted marathon livestream phone banks and campaigned alongside DSA candidates on primary day.
Several Colorado Democrats have cautioned that Denver is distinct from New York, with a less liberal leaning, smaller DSA infrastructure, and DeGette's decades-long name recognition and relationships across the district. However, they also acknowledge that Denver has become increasingly younger, more progressive, and receptive to anti-establishment candidates.
A longtime Democratic strategist close to the DeGette campaign noted that the race is now widely recognized, saying, "Everybody now knows this is a race. This is no longer sneaking up on everybody." The strategist expressed concern for DeGette's campaign, stating, "I think DeGette should be very concerned."
Despite this, Friednash believes DeGette still has a chance to win. However, he acknowledged that a Kiros victory would be a significant development, saying, "that's a massive game changer in Colorado politics."
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