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

Keep the SCFD. It’s a National Model

A History of Success in Supporting Popular Cultural Institutions

The Denver metro region’s Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) is a unique and nationally envied model for cultural funding in the United States. Since its founding in 1988, it has provided steady funding to more than 200 cultural organizations and programs annually in the seven-county Denver metro area. It has maintained voter support in three elections to renew the tax. In this century the SCFD has received more than 60 percent support in two elections and was approved by a majority of voters in all seven counties in the metropolitan region.

Polling shows that the popularity of its highest profile cultural organizations make up the major contribution to the voter approval. The next most important attribute is the 35-year operational success of the SCFD program. The administration is frugal with limits on its expenditures and has stayed out of politics and controversy. As a government agency it has an exceptionally low negative rating and a positive reputation. Also, a key element for public support is the regional and comprehensive nature of the original funding design. Its three tiers guarantee funding for cultural programs from the local and county level to the region’s largest, most used and valued institutions, and reserves funds for more than 30 mid-sized organizations.

A polling question asked of 600 Denver metro voters in December of 2025 shows the support for the SCFD when it was linked to major cultural facilities throughout the seven Denver counties.

Question:
In an upcoming election, voters in the Denver metro area will vote on whether or not to extend the one-tenth of one-cent sales tax that funds the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. It is not a tax increase. It helps fund the Zoo, the Botanic Garden, Butterfly Pavillion, museums, performing arts, nature centers and cultural programs and organizations throughout Arapahoe, Adams, Denver, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas and Jefferson counties.

If you had to vote today, would you definitely support continuing the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District sales tax, probably support it, probably oppose it or definitely oppose continuing the district sales tax?

RELATED:
Art Funding in the Era of Austerity Apr 22, 2026
Denver Region Values Culture - CATZ Mar 25, 2026

Dow Bounces Around 50,000

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attend a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on May 27, 2026. Evan Vucci/Reuters

Our end-of-the-year recap reported: Despite the drama and chaos, the DOW ended the year up 13 points. The third year of double-digit returns (up 12.9 points in 2024 and 13.7 in 2023). The S&P grew 16 points and the NASDAQ composite up 20, mostly driven by the AI investment boom.

We predicted churn. And indeed the war in Iran, accompanied by the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, has featured the DOW bouncing more than 9 times around 50,000. It hit 10,000 at the start of the century (1999), then 30,000 in 2020 as the President Donald Trump first term was ending and President Joe Biden about to start. After a volatile period in the early 2020’s, it crossed to 40,000 in March 2024 as Biden began his fraught final campaign. After a brief 21 months, the DOW gained 10,000 points and crossed 50,000 on February 8, 2020.

As long as corporate earnings hold and interest rates and inflation data don’t accelerate, AI investment may continue to drive it upward. As of Friday, May 29, it is now at 51,000.

Trump has always depended on market increases to boost his popularity, but today as the market has increased this year his poll numbers have collapsed to record lows (60% disapproval, 36% approval FPO). His problem is the market is missing voter economic anxiety and growing dislike of him and his administration's performance.

RELATED:
Market Ends Up Despite the Drama and Chaos January 7, 2026
Market Ends Up After Volatile Quarter July 3, 2025
Trump’s Agenda Could be Volatile for Market December 16, 2024

Polis Roughed up by Democrats

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, left, shakes hands with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet at a Colorado Mesa University candidate forum, 2022. Photo: Christopher Tomlinson/The Daily Sentinel

Colorado Democratic political class has turned abruptly and loudly against Governor Jared Polis. As he approaches the end of an eight year term, Polis, knowing the likely political consequences, commuted the sentence of election denier Tina Peters.

As Mark Barabak wrote in the LA Times, Polis was criticized by fellow Democrats and many Republicans – including Peters’ prosecutor and a majority of Colorado’s election clerks. Senator Bennet, the Democratic candidate for governor to replace Polis, made it a major talking point. “It was a disqualifying decision” for me appointing Polis to the Senate.

In an understatement, I said, “He was aiming for a national profile. This makes it much more difficult.” In fact, his political career in Colorado has likely taken a blow difficult to recover from. Nationally, he was second tier, now he’s out of consideration.

LA TIMES ARTICLE:
Three wrongs don’t make a right in case of election denier and Colorado governor
THE GRAND JUNCTION DAILY SENTINEL ARTICLE:
Peters fallout: Bennet wouldn't appoint Polis to Senate as guv; Vance says Peters eligible for fund

National Dashboard: Trump Doesn’t Have the Cards

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews an honor guard with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. | Alex Wong/Getty Images AsiaPac

RealClearPolitics’ aggregator website records President Trump’s approval at 40 percent but a more discerning aggregator, FiftyPlusOne (FPO), has Trump with a 37 point approval and a 23 point net negative (60% disapproval). Trump’s trip to China and Xi Jinping is at his weakest political moment. Domestically, Trump’s approval is, according to pollster Elliott Morris, “…sitting roughly 36.8% approval and 59.7% disapproval in the FPO polling average – a net rating of about -23, making him the most unpopular president at this point in his term in modern history, worse even than Joe Biden during the 2022 inflation panic.”

His international ratings are even worse than in the U.S. Pew Research reports that Trump receives “mostly negative ratings on a scale of low or high confidence” to do the right thing in world affairs” in 24 nations surveyed.

• Western Europe (especially low in Germany, Spain, Italy)
• Mexico (highest no confidence in list)

Neither Chinese President Xi nor Trump receives high confidence scores but in the last two years confidence in American Presidents (Joe Biden and Trump) has declined and Xi increased.

Trump, in one year, has damaged his reputation with Americans and the U.S. reputation with key allies. After Trump misplayed his cards, he now has a weak hand.

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National Dashboard: Trump in Retreat Feb 23, 2026
Trilogy on Trump’s Declining Approval Dec 15, 2025
Trump Approval Collapses and Nov. 4 Turns Blue Nov 20, 2025

Becerra New Democratic Frontrunner

Hilton and Steyer Fight for Second

(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

The debates are over, voting started May 4 and Xavier Becerra is the new frontrunner. In the FiftyPlusOne average he has 19% to Republican Steve Hilton’s 20%, but the latest Inside California Politics/Emerson College Polling survey he leads the field 19% over Hilton, with 17% (12% undecided).

Tom Steyer, Democrat, with his large advertising budget was also at 17% in the Emerson poll but behind Becerra by 4 points in the FPO average. Hilton and Steyer may be the main contenders for second place.

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

Politics Overtake Career Plans

Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

Trying to move on from the political tumult of the 1960’s, I finally got serious about college and restarted my studies at LA City College. I shifted from my interest in political activism to requirements for pre-med. Chemistry and biology were courses in my second and final year.

But politics intervened. On May 4, 1970, national demonstrations against the latest expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia and the National Guard shooting and killing of student protesters at Kent State shut down LA City College and hundreds of colleges around the country. I had lost interest in biology and was back talking about the war. We were given our grades up to that point and told to start summer vacation early. On a road trip to upstate New York for resort work, we listened to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Four Dead in Ohio” as it played endlessly on the AM radio. It was one of the fastest released and distributed songs in history and reminded us how powerful the war’s effect was on our Baby Boomer generation.

When I returned to LA for a fall quarter at Cal State, I switched to a political science degree. A friend suggested I transfer to UCLA and I started there the winter quarter. It was a rainy 1971 winter. My first day of foreign policy class, Professor Simon Serfaty lectured in an intimidating giant hall. At the end, he suggested we all see a screening of Dr. Strangelove on campus that evening. I knew I had found a home in this fun, wildly stimulating environment.

The war was mostly fading into the background but campus Democrats were organizing, and in March of 1972 I attended a rare campus anti-war protest. There, Bill Walton, already a star of UCLA’s champion team and later to become a Hall of Fame basketball player, was loaded on a bus under arrest. Coach Wooden bailed him out quickly. McGovern was going to lose massively. (I went to the Democratic Convention in Miami – another story) and Watergate was just becoming a news story.

Graduating in 1973 cum laude and being chosen by Chancellor Young to lead the social science class at graduation, I decided to get serious about some kind of career in politics. Graduate political science departments were crowded so I took the LSAT, did well and settled to go where law and politics blended – Georgetown. I was sad leaving friends. LA had been my home since 1965 and I doubted that whatever was next would be as idyllic. Nevertheless, I was headed east to begin a new, lifelong political adventure that started at Georgetown University Law Center then shifted to Denver.

Politics and lots of serendipity drove my life.

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The Day Kennedy Died

Cronkite announcing the assassination of J.F.K., on November 22, 1963, as seen from a TV monitor. His TV career began in 1950, when he hosted a late-evening news recap.Photograph from CBS Photo Archive / Getty

It had just snowed hard and Trinidad was freezing cold as we walked up the steps of the Junior College and first heard from a student that the president had been shot. We were in town for a statewide speech contest and had just arrived in the Pueblo Catholic High School bus.

We went into the cafeteria, which had large black and white TVs up high enough to see from a distance. Walter Cronkite was on. I noticed his white button down shirt and skinny tie, but no coat. It seemed unusual in those days when we had no continuous news and anchors always wore coats.

It was near noon and just as we started to listen, he said: “Dan Rather has confirmed President Kennedy is dead.” He removed his glasses and appeared to tear up, but then put them back on and kept reading the wire stories handed to him.

We were stunned. Much later, we realized how much the entire country felt and learned that day. I wasn’t the most focused high school student, but speech was my favorite activity, and from that moment on the authority of Cronkite and the power of television were riveted into my consciousness.

Pueblo Catholic High School has been closed for many years, but it was a fortress of Catholicism and ethnic pride in our community. We were the “Shamrocks,” and the election of John Kennedy was like the elevation of a pope. We rooted for him, prayed for him and followed his travels.

Given that students had come from around the state in bad weather, they held the meet. Pueblo Catholic did well, winning various individual awards, and my partner and I won the senior debate contest, arguing before a large audience the negative side of “Resolved: Medical care should be provided to the aged.” The topic seemed remote. Few of the authorities we cited in our case believed its enactment was imminent, but Kennedy’s death made it one of President Johnson’s post-assassination achievements.

November 22, 1963, was a devastating day I will never forget.

Read New Yorker's The Legend of Walter Cronkite

Reposted from December 6, 2013

Swalwell Out: Becerra vs Steyer

(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

With the withdrawal of Eric Swalwell on April 3, a new California primary political order has been set. Most Democratic voters are dividing between billionaire Tom Steyer, who has spent as of May 1st more than $140 million on his campaign, and the new frontrunner in the some polls, Xavier Becerra, the former Attorney General and Biden cabinet officer.

Becerra appears to be gathering the most recent endorsements and has moved up from a weak 6th place on March 15 to 3rd in the April 30 FiftyPlusOne average.

Early voting starts May 4 for the June 2 primary. Steve Hilton, the leading Republican in the field, has President Trump’s endorsement. He has a good chance to make the ballot. But a Democrat is still the favorite to win in November.

RELATED:
Republicans Dominate Jungle Primary for Governor Apr 2, 2026

SCFD and Presidential Elections

Arvada Mayor Marc Williams, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, Greenwood Village Mayor Ron Rakowsky and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock with Popsicle at Mayors Launch SCFD GOTV, Oct. 4, 2016

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) has been on the ballot in two presidential elections in this century. It won by 66 percent in 2004 and 63 percent in 2016. The SCFD had bipartisan support of regional mayors, legislators and other political and business leaders.

The following table compares the 2016 SCFD vote and the most recent results of Democratic candidate of Kamala Harris’ in 2024. The two percentage results tend to track by county except the SCFD and its non-partisan reputation and purpose did better in more Republican counties of Douglas and Jefferson and less well in the most Democratic counties of Boulder and Denver.

Examining the turnout, an additional 155,000 voted in 2024. It reflects both the difference in vote for a presidential candidate and ballot issue and the voter registration growth from 2016 to 2024.

RELATED:
SCFD Has 35-Year History of Voter Approval Feb 23, 2023

Art Funding in the Era of Austerity

Planning has started for the 2028 renewal of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). The election will take place in an era of austerity. The Colorado economy has slowed and population growth mostly stopped. State and local governments are dealing with significant deficits. Residents are concerned about affordability and polls indicate that more than half believe the economy will get worse this year.

In the process of preparing the SCFD for legislative review and a regional vote, arts advocates and staffs weigh in on the types of changes they would like to see in the statute. Although previous elections and recent polling show the SCFD concept of regional arts funding is popular, constituent groups are being cautioned about assuming the voters are supportive of increased government-funded budgets or paying higher taxes.

Arts advocates believe they need continuation of the tax dollars but in an era of austerity that will be weighted against voters’ budgets and their priorities. In a recent regional poll, voters were asked if there are higher priorities for taxpayer dollars than even well-liked arts, museums and theaters. The population split closely on that statement. Generating high profile battles over funding could risk the public support for SCFD. (See figure below.)

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Guidelines for SCFD Public Support and Sustainability Sep 18, 2025
The SCFD is Designed to be Frugal and Accountable Aug 12, 2025

Trump’s Low Average is Anti-Trump, Not Pro-Democrat

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to members of the media following the Republican Senate Policy Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 7, 2025. Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

President Donald Trump is now consistently more than 15 points negative among voters rating his performance, with an approval frequently below 42 percent and disapproval at or above 55 percent in RealClearPolitics conservative survey site. Viewing his position on other sites such as FiftyPlusOne show Trump 21 points negative with a 38 percent approval. The Decision Desk HQ shows a 41 percent approval, 55 percent disapproval.

However, as Trump’s approval declines, voters do not appear to be endorsing the Democrats’ brand. Seven months out, Democrats only register a 4 to 5 point advantage on the generic ballot. While that is enough to win the House, it’s not a 30 or 40 seat Democratic landslide as the 2006, 2010, and 2018 elections were.

But it may not matter. They may just vote against Trump without really embracing the Democrats, their candidates or issue positions. Historically, approval ratings this low should produce a high turnout of more angry voters at the November mid-term election. It may also demotivate non-MAGA Trump voters from participating. Republican leadership is warning of a disaster and Trump is acting nervous.

RELATED:
National Dashboard: Iran Takes Trump Down Apr 6, 2026

Progressives Upset Old Guard Democrats

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

Since the mayoral victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York, the biggest reported trend in the Democratic Party has been older incumbents facing younger, usually more “progressive” challengers. And in urban settings the challengers are often members of socialist organizations, (e.g., Democratic Socialists of America).

Two members of the new wave of urban challengers in LA and Denver are significantly younger than their incumbents/opponents, they are South Asian/African, very progressive, and good at social and digital media, especially with younger voters. They tend to be more supportive of Palestinians and represent the cutting edge of the no-more-arms-funding-for-Israel cadre, which is a growing wing of the Democratic Party.

Both candidates are long shots. However Mamdani won, Kiros won a surprise party victory in Denver and is on the ballot, as is Raman in LA, who runs second in many polls.

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Is Karen Bass in Trouble? Yes.

Then-Rep. Karen Bass at the kickoff to her campaign for mayor of Los Angeles on Oct. 16, 2021. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A Loyola Marymount University poll shows Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass losing to last-minute candidate socialist City Council member Nithya Raman.

The poll’s methodology was questionable in terms of producing an accurate snapshot of the status of the race as of March 16, but it captures the race’s fluidity. All polls conducted so far show an electorate not yet attentive, not too excited about the choices and significantly undecided. In this poll, candidates were given labels. Bass was the incumbent mayor, and a veteran legislator focused on homelessness. Raman was LA City Councilmember, progressive, focused on housing affordability. People voted for the labels as much as the names. Non-incumbent, progressive won.

Except for Bass, the field of candidates is not known and spending in the race is just beginning, so it’s early. But clearly Bass is handicapped by being a veteran establishment mayor of a city government people are not happy with. In addition, her performance during the fire was a major controversy of which she remains vulnerable. Numerous polls show 80% of LA voters would consider someone beyond Bass.

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National Dashboard: Iran Takes Trump Down

Gas prices are displayed at a Shell station in Pasadena, Calif., on March 30, 2026. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

President Trump’s 16 percent negative is a new low for his second term. RealClearPolitics’ aggregator website records a 41 percent approval, which is higher than most other political websites due to it including a host of right leaning polling sources whose methods consistently show partisan bias.

One month into the US/Israel Iran War has crushed Donald Trump’s opinion numbers. After a forced retreat in February from Davos and Minnesota, Trump now faces rising gas prices and a down stock market.

His economic performance declined 4 points to the negative in March – from 15 to 19 points. The war produced no rally effect and is opposed by a majority of voters. The cost of living and the economy continue to be the highest priority issues. It is likely Republicans will lose the House. The only question appears to be the size of the swing. Could the Democrats win a majority of the Senate? Still a stretch but Majority Leader Thune has to be concerned for his vulnerable seats.

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Republicans Dominate Jungle Primary for Governor

Photo: CBS News

Numerous news stories have headlined that the crowd of California Democrats in the governor race is making it possible two Republican candidates could be the leading vote getters in the June 2 primary, in spite of California being an overwhelmingly Democratic state. The wide-open feature of the “jungle” primary where the top two candidates regardless of party go to the November general election makes the anomaly of no Democrat in the general election possible.

As the latest IGS poll shows, Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are ahead with 33 percent of the vote. Next, three Democrats are splitting 36 percent. Five more Democrats trail, scattering 15 percent of the vote. Sixteen percent are undecided with many being unlikely voters.

Editorials have warned Democrats of the possibility and the Democratic party leadership has encouraged but thus far not pushed less successful candidate to exit the race. None have dropped out, even though several have lost support. Xavier Becerra and Antonio Villaraigosa have lost or stayed flat in polls for months. Betty Yee and Tony Thurmond, stalled at 1 percent, are wasting their time. Will anyone of them withdraw and endorse one of the three front runners, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter or Tom Steyer?

Swalwell has considerable potential as major party leaders and donors haven’t favored Porter (2024 lost senate jungle primary) or Steyer (2020 president-no delegates) in their previous statewide or national efforts. But billionaire Steyer has spent more than $90 million on his campaign, especially for media, and apparently will spend considerably more to become one of the top two.

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Harris Don’t Run – California Democrats

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have spent years raising money for their re-election campaign. Photo: Eric Lee/The New York Times

The latest California poll from top pollster Mark DeCamillo reports California Democrats rank former vice president and former presidential candidate Kamala Harris a weak fourth (9%) as their choice for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Governor Gavin Newsom was first (28%) with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez second (14%) and Pete Buttigieg third (11%).

Obviously, it is years early for dispositive statements but it’s still telling that Harris, who hails California her home and represented Democrats as their senator and attorney general, is losing to two out-of-state political figures for the presidential nomination.

Fourteen candidates were listed in the poll but only six receive 3 percent or more support. Other top choices by Democrats were Senator Mark Kelly (7%) and Governor J.B. Pritzker (3%).

IGS Poll Release #2026-04: Democratic Presidential Preferences

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Broncos Fall From Grace

Empower Field at Mile High - Photo Courtesy of CBS

Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos into the Super Bowl, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 43 to 8 in 2013. In a poll conducted in the Denver region by Ciruli Associates, the Broncos received 55% “very favorable” rating from voters in October 2013. The Broncos were one of the most popular teams in the NFL. (see attached links)

After a number of head coach and quarterback changes and numerous mediocre seasons, the Broncos improved in 2025 getting to a wild card game but losing to Buffalo Bills in a snow storm 7 to 31. However, in a 2025 poll, in spite of the better season, the Broncos only received a 36% “very favorable” rating.

The polling suggests the Broncos have work to do to win back general fan appreciation. Also, it’s good the ownership doesn’t appear to be interested in a taxpayer-supported new stadium. They would start out in a weak position.

Question 2025:
ONLINE: Please read the names of some organizations and entities in the Denver metro area and indicate whether you have a (ROTATE) favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you have never hears of one, please indicate that.
PHONE I’m going to read you the names of some organizations and entities in the Denver metro area. Please tell me whether you have a (ROTATE) favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you have never heard of one, please just say so.
PHONE IF CHOICE GIVEN: Is that very (favorable/unfavorable) or just somewhat (favorable/unfavorable)?

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Denver Region Values Culture - CATZ

Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series | Photo: www.botanicgardens.org

In a new poll, the Denver region’s cultural facilities and programs were rated “very favorable.” Citizens for Arts to Zoo, a group that supports the seven-county region’s Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, regularly sponsors polls, including in 2013 and 2025.

In the 2025 poll, regional cultural organizations are rated “very favorable” with high voter awareness. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science had the highest rating at 73 percent and the Denver Botanic Gardens came in second with 70 percent. Polling in 2013 (Ciruli Associates), twelve years ago, showed similar high popularity: DMNS 69%, Denver Zoo 67%, Denver Art Museum 62%, Denver Botanic Garden 60%, Denver Center of Performing Arts 56%. Organizations like the Arvada Center and Butterfly Pavilion have lower levels of regional awareness but are highly rated among voters familiar with them. Notice: culture beats sports (December 2025). The Broncos were rated 55% in 2013 and 36% in 2025.

When asked why local cultural organizations were important, residents said they provide education, benefit children, offer self-improvement, value history, encourage civic pride, and teach tolerance and diversity.

The survey of 615 conducted December 5-10, 2025, by New Bridge Strategy and Keating Research has a margin of error of ± 3.95%. The 2013 survey was conducted by Ciruli Associates (±4%).

Question 2025:
ONLINE: Please read the names of some organizations and entities in the Denver metro area and indicate whether you have a (ROTATE) favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you have never heard of one, please indicate that.
PHONE: I’m going to read you the names of some organizations and entities in the Denver metro area. Please tell me whether you have a (ROTATE) favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you have never heard of one, please just say so.
PHONE IF CHOICE GIVEN: Is that very (favorable/unfavorable) or just somewhat (favorable/unfavorable)?

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Regional Cooperation - SCFD

We are in stormy times. But the Denver region’s arts, culture and science scene is one of the few topics that elevates our thinking and provides joy and entertainment.

Denver’s unique method of funding culture through the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) also brings the seven-county region together. The SCFD cultural initiative began in 1988 and has been repeatedly approved by voters, most recently in 2016 by 63%, winning the region’s seven counties.

In periodic polls, the voters’ regional support for “cooperating on providing funding for the arts, zoos and museums” has been tested. Most voters (84%) said “yes” to cooperation in 2025 and 89 percent in 2013. Another question repeated from a 2013 survey asked the voters across the seven counties if regional taxpayers should help pay for the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science or only Denver taxpayers. In the latest poll, three quarters (77%) said the region should help pay, even greater than the 73% in 2013.

Question: Please tell me which of the following comes closer to what you think even if neither one matches your view exactly.

• The Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science serve the entire region and regional taxpayers should help pay for them, or
• The Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science are located in Denver, and if they need tax dollars, only Denver taxpayers should pay for them.

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

• It is important for the metro region to cooperate on providing funding for the arts, zoos and museums.

RELATED:
Guidelines for SCFD Public Support and Sustainability Sept 18, 2025
The SCFD and Regionalism July 16, 2025

1968 – A Shout and Then Tragedy

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968.

On a hot June night 58 years ago, I stood with a crowd of supporters in the Embassy Ballroom of Los Angeles’s Ambassador Hotel cheering on Robert F. Kennedy as he basked in the California primary victory and shouted – “On to Chicago!” As a volunteer with the advance staff, I and many of us were looking to the next primary in New York and then on to Chicago for the Democratic Convention.

Kennedy had entered the race on March 16 and President Lyndon Johnson was out of the running two weeks later. So began the 82-day final campaign of RFK. The tragedy that night ended two-months of intense effort and hope that the Vietnam War could end quickly and America could be put on a new path of reconciliation. It also put my involvement in politics on hold.

About a month before that night, I walked in the door of the mostly empty Kennedy office on Wilshire Blvd. I had been working for a local LA autobody shop and drove an old Buick. Jerry Bruno, the top advance man for the campaign, was elated. He asked if I had a car, handed me a Joseph P. Kennedy credit card, and said go to the airport and pick up a filmed campaign biography produced by Charles Guggenheim. I didn’t own a credit card and hadn’t been to the LA airport but I was off. It took more than an hour to find the documentary and return. Bruno no doubt thought he’d seen the last of me.

The advance staff mostly traveled ahead of the candidate, who was often motorcading through streets on the way to outside photo ops and speeches. Our job was to hold the crowd for the always-late Kennedy. We mounted a loudspeaker on the Buick and announced he was near and handed out posters in busy locations.

Kennedy campaigns in the Watts section of Los Angeles in 1968.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

Bruno arranged for Kennedy to meet us Monday before what was to be the last election-day effort. At that moment he looked confident and we all thought he would win. Crowds were bigger and more enthusiastic. We worked in Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday and then we headed to the hotel for the anticipated victory party.

I heard the shots and screams walking down the steps to the main ballroom – I quickly reversed course and joined a group to clear a space for people, some wounded, to exit the kitchen. Later, I stayed in the Kennedy bungalow with staff and others until it was clear the night watch was over.

Johnson’s withdrawal made establishment politics suddenly seem relevant. Senator Eugene McCarthy was an alternative but not a viable choice in my view. I was too pragmatic and wanted someone who could win both the nomination and the election. McCarthy had the educated class. But Kennedy could get most college students and, more importantly, the working class and ethnic voters with the Martin Luther King constituency – a rare talent.

The final shout of the year from Chicago in August was the “whole world’s watching.”

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March 1968: The Political Hinge March 16, 2018

National Dashboard: Trump in Retreat

Minnesota Retreat, Greenland Collapse, Epstein Deluge

Demonstrators take part in an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota, US, on January 20, 2026 [Seth Herald/Reuters]

In most reputable polls President Trump’s approval is below 40 percent of the electorate. And it’s beginning to affect his control over the political environment. After the White House decided to surge 3,000 ICE agents into Minnesota for immigration enforcement, it had to withdraw. The debacle may have put the entire surge strategy on hold. His Davos Greenland push failed after an embarrassing display of bluster and then retreat. Finally, after months of delay and distraction, the Epstein files continue to dominate the news cycle and lead to more career retirements and removals.

President Trump’s 13 percent negative with a 42 percent approval is from the Republican-leaning RealClearPolitics. A different respected aggregator, Fifty Plus One, has him 19 points down, 38% approval to 57% disapproval.

The view grows that Speaker Johnson, so beholden to Trump, will lose his gavel in spite of efforts to change election districts and restrict turnout of Democratic voters. His majority, if the four vacancies are won by the incumbent party, would be 220 to 215 for the Democrats. Three seats will shift the majority.

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Trump Starts New Year in Trouble January 21, 2026

Denver Metro Sales Tax Ends Year Up

After two years of flat sales tax revenue collection in the Denver metro area, the modest 2025 increase will be welcomed by metro municipalities and other local governments facing budget shortfalls and higher expenses. Out of the seven counties, some are doing better than others.

The Denver metro seven county sales tax revenue ended up $13 million for a one percent sales tax over last year. The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District will see $1.3 million more from its one-tenth-of-cent sales tax.

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