Colorado’s Embattled Democratic Establishment

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, left, and Attorney General Phil Weiser at a gubernatorial debate. (RJ Sangosti / Denver Post via Getty Images)

Colorado’s Democratic establishment officeholders are waging expensive defensive battles against a rising left wing.

The state’s senior U.S. Senator, Michael Bennet, who was seen as the strong favorite to win the gubernatorial primary, is spending millions in negative advertising to win what now appears a competitive race. Attorney General Phil Weiser benefiting from not being a long-time Washington officeholder, is riding the anti-establishment forces. Most observers believe Bennet will lose Denver, the party’s heartland, although they still believe he has an advantage.

Fifteen-term Congresswoman Diane DeGette who nearly lost the party nomination in earlier assemblies is in a difficult reelection with two opponents, one a young Black (Ethiopian) with no political experience but a “time for a change” progressive platform. It would be a major upset if she would lose.

Even John Hickenlooper, who has been a major Colorado political figure since becoming Denver’s mayor in 2003, is running extra hard against an underfunded and little-known opponent, Julie Gonzales. He’s primarily working to keep out of debates to avoid giving her statewide exposure. He will likely win, but the message is the same, the party establishment is on defense.

Should the SCFD Tax be Increased? No!

One of the most popular attributes of the Denver metro area’s Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) has been its frugality. In 1988, realizing it was in competition with municipal and county sales taxes, it set a low sales tax rate of one-tenth of a cent. Colorado also has a history of resistance to tax increases. The TABOR limits were being discussed and passed in 1992.

Over the last three decades, due to the economic and population growth in the 7-county region, the tax revenue for cultural institutions increased from $14 million annually to $85 million today.

During reauthorizations, many cultural organizations argued that since there are more organizations they need more money. The campaign group that supports SCFD regularly polls on the tax issue and has found voter resistance to increasing the SCFD tax rate. In December 2025, voters were asked whether not having a tax increase made them more likely to support the SCFD. Sixty-five percent said yes. It also asked whether there were higher priorities for the tax dollars in spite of being in favor of funding arts and culture. Nearly half of voters said there were other priorities.

Question: Thinking about a few other aspects of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities (SCFD) tax extension proposal.

For each one of the following, please indicate if that makes you much more likely to support it, somewhat more likely to support it, or makes no difference in your view one way or the other.

This will not increase taxes.

Question: For each of the following statements please indicate if you agree or disagree:

Arts, museums and theaters are nice to have, but there are higher priorities for our tax dollars to fund right now.

Bennet in Close Race?

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, left, and Attorney General Phil Weiser at a gubernatorial debate. (RJ Sangosti / Denver Post via Getty Images)

If the Morning Consult headline is correct, “Michael Bennet may not be the frontrunner for Colorado governor anymore,” it explains the $1 million loan Bennet made to his campaign and Bloomberg’s infusion of cash. The torrent of negative ads has many Democrats unhappy with the tone of the race. Do they put off the unaffected voter? Do they seem desperate? Bennet’s advantage is name identification and massive amounts of money for messaging, especially in the non-metro area. But still, the race is finally getting some drama.

READ:
Morning Digest: Michael Bennet may not be the frontrunner for Colorado governor anymore The Downballot, Jun 16, 2026

Becerra and Hilton Go to the Show - Steyer $200 Million for Third

From left, gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton during The Western Growers California Gubernatorial Candidate Forum at Fresno State in Fresno on April 1, 2026. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters

The California governor’s, race due to its top two winner configuration (jungle primary), began with an array of not imposing Democratic candidates and opening polls showing Republicans could take the top two spots. My blog “Republicans Dominate Jungle Primary for Governor” described the anomaly.

But the second half of the California race for governor began April 11 when Democratic favorite, Eric Swalwell, dropped out due to allegations of sexual assault. In less than two weeks, Xavier Becerra moved up 10 points to 15 by April 18 and swiftly became the Democratic frontrunner.

At least a part of Becerra’s ascendence were the flaws in the other Democratic voters’ choices:

• Katie Porter. Although she started the race tied with Swalwell, she had lost credibility after her Senate run in 2024. Many party leaders didn’t trust or like her. She never regained traction after the media blowup incident. It validated a long-standing criticism of a harsh temperament.
• Tom Steyer was never fully embraced by the left and it was not in a good moment for Silicon Valley billionaires. With $200 million spent he got close, but at some point the frequency of the message delivery damaged the messenger.
• Matt Mahan was late to the race, lacked charisma and a clear lane. Antonio Villaraigosa’s losing campaigns weighed on his harsh message of lower expectations.

Becerra, with a center left pragmatic demeanor, was a favorable contrast to the hyperbolic politics of the last few years. He seems calm, low key, and thoughtful.

RELATED:
Becerra New Democratic Frontrunner May 19, 2026
Swalwell Out; Becerra vs Steyer May 4, 2026
Republicans Dominate Jungle Primary for Governor Apr 2, 2026

California Pollsters Track the Governor’s Race

(L-R) Democrat Matt Mahan, Democrat Xavier Becerra, Republican Chad Bianco, Republican Steve Hilton, Democrat Tom Steyer and Democrat Katie Porter during a gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Pool/Jason Henry/Bloomberg/Getty Images via SFGATE

More than 20 pollsters released polls in the 2026 California gubernatorial primary (Wikipedia) including the long serving mainstays Berkeley IGS and PPIC. The polls did reasonably well as reflected in the FiftyPlusOne and the other averages identifying Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton as the frontrunners and Tom Steyer a close third.

The polls showed the wild movement of the race from Republican-domination earlier in the year to the Eric Swalwell surge then collapse on April 12 and finally the rapid and steady rise of Xavier Becerra. They also showed Katie Porter and Chad Bianco stalled in secondary positions in their respective parties.

Of course, polls affect elections. Democrats were looking for the most viable candidate to support. Becerra was the beneficiary.

RELATED:
Republicans Dominate Jungle Primary for Governor Apr 2, 2026
Swalwell Out: Becerra vs Steyer May 4, 2026

Is Karen Bass in Trouble? Yes. Part Two

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, left, and Mayor Karen Bass.
Photos: Jason Armond and Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times

As I asked in an April 8 blog, Karen Bass was in such serious trouble she was unable to secure her reelection in the primary. In fact, Bass is so vulnerable her opponent, progressive/socialist Nathya Raman, begins the race ahead in the first poll. Raman with Spencer Pratt, the conservative populist media influencer, mobilized the 65% of LA voters unhappy with the city’s direction and the mayor’s performance.

Raman, argued, “For too long, City Hall has prioritized giving political advantage to powerful interests that fund elections. Meanwhile, working people pay the price in higher rents, depleted services, and a city that has stopped working for them.”

After a close race for second, late voters pushed Raman ahead of Pratt. Wisely, she attacked Pratt, a Trump-endorsed candidate which cost him votes and lifted her as the arch anti-Trump Democrat.

The general election campaign is likely to be very negative but with some interesting policy options. Bass, as the representative of a disliked establishment, will be in a very difficult five-month reelection but will Raman hit a socialist ceiling?

RELATED:
Progressives Upset Old Guard Democrats Apr 13, 2026
Is Karen Bass in Trouble? Yes. Apr 8, 2026

Is DeGette in Trouble?

From left: U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, attorney Melat Kiros and University of Colorado Regent Wanda James.

Diane DeGette was surprised by the grassroots strength of Democrats who wanted change and supported her novice opponent Melat Keros. Keros won the top spot in Denver county and District assemblies with DeGette barely making the low threshold of 30%. DeGette, a 30-year incumbent Congresswoman about to be a House subcommittee chair if Democrats take control, is facing the same challenge from a younger, left constituency that propelled big city mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in New York and now Los Angeles Nithya Raman.

In a few recent primaries, DeGette has won overwhelmingly. Another opponent, Wanda James, petitioned on the ballot. Could she lose 30-40% or more of the vote to the two challengers?

RELATED:
Progressives Upset Old Guard Democrats Apr 13, 2026