Colorado Primary Ousts 68-Year-Old DeGette as Hickenlooper Wins With 55.3%

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 1

Melat Kiros, 29, defeated longtime Denver Rep. Diana DeGette 51.3% to 41.7% with 93% of votes counted, delivering the night’s clearest Democratic generational upset.
That shift also reached the battleground 8th District, where progressive state Rep. Manny Rutinel beat Shannon Bird 61.5% to 33.7% and advanced to face Republican incumbent Gabe Evans.
John Hickenlooper blunted the leftward push statewide, defeating Julie Gonzales 55.3% to 44.7% in the Democratic Senate primary with 88% of votes counted.
Phil Weiser won the Democratic governor primary 55.7% to 44.3% over Michael Bennet, while the Republican contest remained too close to call, with Barb Kirkmeyer leading Victor Marx 40.0% to 39.6%.
The results split Colorado Democrats between insurgent House challengers and more established statewide figures, setting up a closely watched fall fight in the 8th District.

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Left64%

Center18%

Right18%

USA TODAY16d ago

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The New York Times16d ago

Progressive Manny Rutinel Wins Colorado House Primary, Faces Gabe Evans

The Washington Post17d ago

Colorado Democrats choose between insurgent progressives and veteran incumbents - The Washington Post

14 Sources

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Manny Rutinel’s 60.6% Primary Win Sets Stage for High-Stakes 2026 Showdown in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District

Overview

Manny Rutinel achieved a decisive victory in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 8th Congressional District on June 30, 2026, with the Associated Press calling the race at 7:40 p.m. His commanding lead, winning 60.6% of the vote compared to his opponent's 34.6%, highlights strong support from Democratic voters and demonstrates the effectiveness of his campaign. This wide margin shows that Rutinel's message resonated across the district, positioning him as a formidable contender for the general election. His success sets the stage for a highly competitive race against incumbent Republican Gabe Evans in this crucial battleground district.

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