DENVER — Colorado voters ousted the state’s two most progressive lawmakers in Tuesday’s primary election.
Democratic state Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernández lost their respective primaries to business-backed Democratic competitors.
Air Force veteran Sean Camacho beat out Epps in the Democratic primary in House District 6, while former federal immigration judge Cecelia Espenoza defeated Hernández in the Democratic primary in House District 4.
These decisions by voters mark a shift back toward moderate Democrats and away from far-left progressives. Epps and Hernández are both endorsed by the Denver chapter of Democratic Socialists for America.
Both Epps and Hernández were also the targets of mailers sent by Fighting For a Stronger Colorado, an independent expenditure committee that helped block the reelection of progressive city councilwoman Candi CdeBaca in Denver last year.
Unlike the Colorado Republican Party, the state Democratic Party did not endorse candidates in contested primaries. However, individual elected Democrats made their choices clear.
In a rare move, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis endorsed Camacho over the incumbent Epps. When asked why he made the endorsement, Polis said that he’s endorsed in primaries before, and that “it's usually just based on conversations with candidates and who I think is best for Colorado.”
Colorado's 65 state representatives serve two-year terms. There were a total of 18 contested primaries for House seats this year.
Eighteen of Colorado's state Senate seats are up for election this year. There were seven contested primaries for those seats.
Of the contested races for seats in the state Capitol, 11 had a more moderate, business-backed Democrat up against a more progressive opponent. Progressives won three of those 11 matchups.
The latest Democratic primary election results for Colorado House District 4:
The latest Democratic primary election results for Colorado House District 6:
Jack Daus ran unopposed for the Republican nomination in District 4. Kyle Witter ran unopposed for the Republican nomination in District 6.
Epps, who was elected to the legislature in 2022, has drawn criticism from fellow Democrats for joining a group of pro-Palestinian protestors during November's special session, as well as filing a lawsuit against party leaders alleging violations of the state's open meetings laws.
In January, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion, censured Epps for her actions during the special session. McCluskie removed Epps from the House Judiciary Committee in December.
In August 2023, a vacancy committee selected Hernández to represent House District 4 through 2024. Hernández is completing the term of former Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, who resigned in August to join the Denver City Council. Hernández beat out two fellow Denver Democrats to fill the House vacancy: Espenoza and former state Rep. Rochelle Galindo.
In October, Hernández apologized for not explicitly denouncing the militant group Hamas in the aftermath of its attack on Israeli civilians. Prior to the apology, Hernandez drew criticism from a state senator for his attendance at a rally in support of Palestinian resistance in Gaza. He was also criticized online and by other colleagues for "liking" several social media posts that appeared to support the attack by Hamas. He then "unliked" those posts.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Election 2024