Can Democrats Hold the Colorado State Senate?

After a disastrous 2013, Senate Democrats have tried to recoup by limiting the 2014 session agenda to less controversial items and doing a few bipartisan bills.

Early prognostication focuses on six senate seats that appear potentially competitive. Republicans just need to switch one, but, of course, Democrats will be working hard to recapture the two they lost. The Pueblo seat should be easy if Democrats stay united, but Colorado Springs is seen as competitive.

Term-limits will retire two veteran Republican leaders in Greg Brophy, now running for governor, and Douglas County’s Ted Harvey. Scott Renfro is also out and now running for Congress in the 4^th District (Cory Gardner’s seat). Republicans will easily replace all three. Democrats’ two term- limited senators are in competitive seats. Lois Tochtrop leaves what could be a competitive seat in Adams County. She last won her seat by a handful of votes. Gail Schwartz from Pitkin, who represents the central and southwestern part of Colorado, will leave one of the state’s largest and most competitive seats. Schwartz won two close races. Democrats will miss her as she is a strong campaigner and good fundraiser.

 

In recent years, Jefferson County has produced some bitter Republican primaries and competitive races. This year, there are two seats on the competitive list. Andy Kerr, a Democratic leader on education, won by 52 percent in 2012. Jeanne Nicholson was targeted by gun rights advocates in 2013 and will face similar opposition this year.