The race to be Colorado’s next Governor is officially underway. Former Congressman Bob Beauprez will challenge Governor John Hickenlooper in November after winning a four -way GOP primary race. Beauprez captured a four-point lead over his closest challenger, Tom Tancredo. Voters in El Paso County threw their support behind Beauprez, but in Pueblo County and most of southern Colorado, Republican voters supported Scott Gessler.
As of late last night, a difference of around 3700 votes separated the GOP candidates in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, with incumbent Doug Lamborn edging out challenger Bentley Rayburn. Rayburn congratulated Lamborn around 11 PM. Democratic challenger Irv Halter issued a statement saying he identified with those who voted for Rayburn, saying the district has been underserved by Lamborn.
In the race for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck easily defeated three other candidates with 44% of the vote. The district spans eastern Colorado, and the seat opened up earlier this year when Republican Cory Gardner entered the race to challenge Democratic Senator Mark Udall.
In Congressional District 3, GOP incumbent Scott Tipton garnered nearly 75% of the vote over challenger David Cox.
Nearly 30% of eligible voters in Pueblo County returned ballots, mostly through the mail. Las Animas County had little more than a quarter their of mailed ballots returned, while turnout in Huerfano County neared 35%. In El Paso County, Clerk Wayne Williams estimated about a third of mailed ballots would be returned.
The General Election takes place Tuesday, November 4th.
