Colorado voters reject far-leaning primary candidates

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado voters rejected far-right and far-left candidates in Tuesday’s primary.

The Colorado Republican Party endorsed 18 candidates in state, local and congressional races, but only four of those candidates won their primaries.

On “ Colorado Point of View ” this week, political analysts say party chair Dave Williams, who lost his primary race in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District , is at fault. He is a supporter of former President Donald Trump, has a history of controversial stances and is facing ethics complaints from Republicans across the state.

On the Democratic side, new numbers from Axios show progressive Democrats won just two of nine races on Tuesday. One of the most progressive members of the legislature, state Rep. Elisabeth Epps, is among those who lost . She sued House leadership and separately was formally reprimanded for breaking decorum.

With far-leaning candidates on both sides of the political aisle coming up short, are voters leaning against more extreme candidates?

Both sides agree: Voters are tired of theatrics

Democratic analyst and state Rep. Leslie Herod said the legislature has traditionally been bipartisan in its actions, adding that lawmakers typically rise above the theatre in Washington.

“Quite frankly, this past year I think that theatre got really loud in Colorado and really prominent, and I think the voters are sick of it. They want elected officials on the Democrat or the Republican side who come out and support their communities,” Herod said.

Republican analyst and political strategist Michael Fields agreed.

“I think they’re fed up with entertainment politics where people are doing stuff to focus on themselves. I do think policywise, it’s very complex in Colorado,” Fields said.

Fields said voters are tired of the extreme rhetoric.

“It’s happening enough at the national level. We don’t need to bring that into Colorado, and I think that’s the backlash you saw on Tuesday,” Fields said.

Watch the full conversation on “Colorado Point of View” on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on Colorado’s Very Own Channel 2.

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