2018 Colorado Senate election

Last updated

2018 Colorado State Senate election
Flag of Colorado.svg
←  2016 November 6, 2018 2020  →
17 of the 35 seats in the Colorado Senate
18 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
  Leroy Garcia 2020.JPG La Junta Business Roundtable (6128049313) (cropped).jpg
Leader Leroy Garcia Kevin Grantham
(term-limited)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat District 3 District 2
Last election1718
Seats before1618
Seats won1916
Seat changeIncrease2.svg3Decrease2.svg2
Popular vote608,037564,971
Percentage50.3%46.75%
Seats up610
Races won98
2018 Colorado Senate election results.svg
Results:
     Democratic gain
     Democratic hold     Republican hold
     No election
President of the Senate before election

Kevin Grantham
Republican

Elected President of the Senate

Leroy Garcia
Democratic

The 2018 Colorado State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Colorado voters elected state senators in 17 of the 35 districts in the state senate. State senators serve four-year terms in the Colorado State Senate. The Colorado Reapportionment Commission provides a statewide map of the state Senate here, and individual district maps are available from the U.S. Census here.

Contents

A primary election on June 26, 2018, determined which candidates appeared on the November 6 general election ballot. Primary election results can be obtained from the Colorado Secretary of State's website. [1]

Following the 2016 state Senate elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Senate with 18 members. Democratic state Senator Cheri Jahn switched from Democrat to unaffiliated on December 29, 2017. [2] However, Sen. Jahn decided to still caucus with Democrats. In the 2018 election, Republicans defended 10 seats, while Democrats defended six seats, with Jahn's one Independent seat up for grabs.

To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net one Senate seat while electing a Democrat to the Independent seat. The Democratic candidate won the Independent seat, while Democrats netted two additional seats, giving the party majority status in the chamber. The results ultimately led to Democrats gaining a political trifecta for the first time since 2014. [3]

Background

Heading to the 2018 elections, Republicans held a one-seat majority in the Senate and sought to defend their very narrow majority in the election. Democrats had not held the state Senate since 2014, and aimed at flipping it to potentially achieve a political trifecta, as Democrats were expected to retain control of the state House, and gubernatorial nominee Jared Polis was considered the frontrunner heading up to the polls. [4] [5]

Five Senate seats were considered vital to determine the political balance of the Senate and even the political outlook of the state. Democratic women dubbed the "Fab Five" were running to defend or win these five competitive districts. Incumbent Republicans Tim Neville and Beth Humenik were seen as the most vulnerable, as both narrowly won their races in 2014, and they represented districts which Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won in 2016. [4] [5]

Summary of results

District Incumbent PartyElected senatorParty
1st Jerry Sonnenberg Rep Jerry Sonnenberg Rep
2nd Kevin Grantham Rep Dennis Hisey Rep
3rd Leroy Garcia Dem Leroy Garcia Dem
5th Kerry Donovan Dem Kerry Donovan Dem
6th Don Coram Rep Don Coram Rep
7th Ray Scott Rep Ray Scott Rep
9th Kent Lambert Rep Paul Lundeen Rep
11th Michael Merrifield Dem Pete Lee Dem
13th John Cooke Rep John Cooke Rep
15th Kevin Lundberg Rep Rob Woodward Rep
16th Tim Neville Rep Tammy Story Dem
20th Cheri Jahn Ind Jessie Danielson Dem
22nd Andy Kerr Dem Brittany Pettersen Dem
24th Beth Martinez Humenik Rep Faith Winter Dem
30th Chris Holbert Rep Chris Holbert Rep
32nd Irene Aguilar Dem Robert Rodriguez Dem
34th Lucía Guzmán Dem Julie Gonzales Dem

Source: [6] [7]

Incumbents not seeking re-election

Term-limited incumbents

Seven incumbent senators (three Democrats, three Republicans and one independent) were term-limited and unable to seek a third term.

Retiring incumbents

One incumbent Democrat did not seek re-election despite being able to do so.

Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 15, 6.18%
  2. District 6, 9.38%

Detailed results

District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 9 • District 11 • District 13 • District 15 • District 16 • District 20 • District 22 • District 24 • District 30 • District 32 • District 34

Sources: [6] [8]

District 1

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Debra Gustafson 5,523 100.0
Total votes5,523 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) 23,879 100.0
Total votes23,879 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 1st District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) 52,311 79.01
Democratic Debra Gustafson13,89420.99
Total votes66,205 100.0
Republican hold

District 2

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Beth "Hart" Harz 6,813 74.09
Democratic Dennis Obduskey2,38325.91
Total votes9,196 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dennis Hisey 12,818 57.95
Republican Stephanie Luck 9,30242.05
Total votes22,120 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 2nd District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dennis Hisey 42,531 65.32
Democratic Beth "Hart" Harz22,58334.68
Total votes65,114 100.0
Republican hold

District 3

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) 15,423 100.0
Total votes15,423 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 3rd District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) 39,768 73.62
Libertarian John Pickerill14,25326.38
Total votes54,021 100.0
Democratic hold

District 5

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Kerry Donovan (incumbent) 13,707 100.0
Total votes13,707 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Olen Lund 9,796 100.0
Total votes9,796 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 5th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Kerry Donovan (incumbent) 41,838 60.45
Republican Olen Lund27,37539.55
Total votes69,213 100.0
Democratic hold

District 6

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Don Coram (incumbent) 14,893 100.0
Total votes14,893 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Guinn Unger, Jr. 11,392 100.0
Total votes11,392 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 6th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Don Coram (incumbent) 40,088 54.69
Democratic Guinn Unger, Jr.33,20845.31
Total votes73,296 100.0
Republican hold

District 7

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Chris Kennedy 8,996 100.0
Total votes8,996 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ray Scott (incumbent) 14,361 64.07
Republican Dan Thurlow8,05435.93
Total votes22,415 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 7th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ray Scott (incumbent) 42,327 63.62
Democratic Chris Kennedy24,20536.38
Total votes66,532 100.0
Republican hold

District 9

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gil Armendariz 9,751 100.0
Total votes9,751 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Paul Lundeen 26,206 100.0
Total votes26,206 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 9th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Paul Lundeen 61,341 70.32
Democratic Gil Armendariz25,89229.68
Total votes87,233 100.0
Republican hold

District 11

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Pete Lee 10,499 100.0
Total votes10,499 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Pat McIntire 7,580 100.0
Total votes7,580 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 11th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Pete Lee 28,015 61.96
Republican Pat McIntire17,20038.04
Total votes45,215 100.0
Democratic hold

District 13

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Cooke (incumbent) 10,763 100.0
Total votes10,763 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Phil Kelley 7,667 100.0
Total votes7,667 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 13th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Cooke (incumbent) 33,026 58.71
Democratic Phil Kelley21,45338.14
Libertarian Eric E. Joss1,7763.16
Total votes56,255 100.0
Republican hold

District 15

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Rebecca Cranston 14,699 100.0
Total votes14,699 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rob Woodward 16,023 100.0
Total votes16,023 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 15th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rob Woodward 44,434 53.09
Democratic Rebecca Cranston39,25646.91
Total votes83,690 100.0
Republican hold

District 16

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tim Neville (incumbent) 12,996 100.0
Total votes12,996 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tammy Story 18,424 100.0
Total votes18,424 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 16th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tammy Story 47,403 55.67
Republican Tim Neville (incumbent)35,15441.28
Libertarian James Gilman2,5973.05
Total votes85,154 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

District 20

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jessie Danielson 19,778 100.0
Total votes19,778 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Christine Jensen 13,821 100.0
Total votes13,821 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 20th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jessie Danielson 49,974 54.13
Republican Christine Jensen39,10242.36
Libertarian Charles Messick3,2393.51
Total votes92,315 100.0
Democratic gain from Independent

District 22

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Brittany Pettersen 16,066 100.0
Total votes16,066 100.0
Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tony Sanchez 11,440 100.0
Total votes11,440 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 22nd District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Brittany Pettersen 42,747 58.16
Republican Tony Sanchez30,75441.84
Total votes73,501 100.0
Democratic hold

District 24

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent) 9,401 100.0
Total votes9,401 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Faith Winter 14,313 100.0
Total votes14,313 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 24th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Faith Winter 35,578 52.32
Republican Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent)27,06839.80
Independent Adam Matkowsky3,3284.89
Libertarian Donald Osborn2,0332.99
Total votes68,007 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

District 30

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chris Holbert (incumbent) 15,342 100.0
Total votes15,342 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Julia Varnell-Sarjeant 12,031 100.0
Total votes12,031 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 30th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chris Holbert (incumbent) 43,948 52.78
Democratic Julia Varnell-Sarjeant34,60441.56
Independent Steve Peterson4,7105.66
Total votes83,262 100.0
Republican hold

District 32

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Calonder 5,561 100.0
Total votes5,561 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert Rodriguez 10,636 39.82
Democratic Zach Neumann8,61632.26
Democratic Hazel Gibson7,45827.92
Total votes26,710 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 32nd District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert Rodriguez 53,307 71.99
Republican Mark Calonder17,29423.36
Independent Peter Lucas Smith3,4464.65
Total votes74,047 100.0
Democratic hold

District 34

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gordon Alley 2,777 100.0
Total votes2,777 100.0
Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Julie Gonzales 14,798 63.80
Democratic Milo Schwab4,57419.72
Democratic Alan Kennedy-Shaffer3,82116.47
Total votes23,193 100.0
2018 Colorado Senate election, 34th District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Julie Gonzales 54,312 83.13
Republican Gordon Alley11,01816.87
Total votes65,330 100.0
Democratic hold

Analysis

Democrats handily flipped the state Senate by significantly outperforming their margins compared to 2016 and 2014. Most of the votes that led to the Senate flipping was due to the outsized margins Democratic candidates received throughout the Front Range and ski counties. [3] Independent voters (the largest share of the electorate), along with women voters, younger voters, and suburban voters, helped propel Democrats to victory in many races. [9] Races that were considered competitive but eventually won by the so-called "Fab Five" of Faith Winter, Jessie Danielson, Tammy Story, Kerry Donovan, and Brittany Petersen were won by relatively large margins. [10] [11] Due to Democrats flipping the Senate, they were able to gain a political trifecta, as they expanded their majorities in the state House and won all statewide races, including for governor. [10]

The results in the Senate and other elections throughout 2018 were called by observers a "blue wave" in which Democrats made historic gains in Colorado. [12] [9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "June 26, 2018 Primary Election Official Results". Colorado Secretary of State . Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Senator Cheri Jahn switches party". December 29, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Fish, Sandra (November 7, 2018). "Mapping the 2018 vote: Blue Colorado gets bluer and the divide remains". The Colorado Sun . Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Colorado's political future comes down to five Senate districts, and money is rushing in". The Denver Post. September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Chávez, Aída (October 30, 2018). "Total Democratic Control of Colorado Comes Down to Five Women". The Intercept. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Colorado State Senate elections, 2018". Ballotpedia . Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State. "Election Results & Data (Unofficial)". www.sos.state.co.us. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  8. ↑ "June 26, 2018 Primary Election Official Results". Colorado Secretary of State . Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Weatherman, Lisa (November 7, 2018). "A Blue Wave Crashes Into Colorado in the 2018 Midterms". 5280. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Herrick, John (November 7, 2018). "Democrats take the Colorado Senate". The Colorado Independent . Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  11. ↑ Roberts, Michael. "Colorado Legislature Election Results 2018: Dems Win House and Senate". Westword . Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  12. ↑ Roberts, Michael. "Colorado Election Results 2018: Polis, the Blue Wave and the Power of TABOR". Westword. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.