Democrats open field offices in Aurora, Denver on primary election night

In a move billed as a “sign of strength” heading into the general election season, Colorado Democrats took time on primary election night to celebrate the opening of two Democratic Party field offices in Denver and Aurora.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser and Rep. Jason Crow of Aurora — all of whom are up for reelection this fall — were scheduled to speak at Tuesday evening events at the two offices. None of those candidates are facing primary opponents, but all will have Republican challengers in November.

“I think if we work incredibly hard and do the work that all of you know you can do … we might just save this democracy,” Bennet told the crowd of a few dozen supporters. He spoke of the need to improve economic equality, pursue “real climate policy,” and fix the immigration system to prevent U.S. farms and ranches from “moving south” seeking more people to employ.

State Republicans voted in contested primaries for the U.S. Senate and governor’s race. In the general election, Bennet will face construction executive Joe O’Dea. The Republican governor primary saw University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl beat former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez.

Republicans don’t have contested primaries in the attorney general or 6th Congressional District races. Weiser will face off with 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner, and Crow will fight to keep his 6th District seat from Republican former Naval Aviator Steven Monahan. The GOP is banking on record-high gas prices, soaring inflation and an unpopular president to oust Colorado Democrats in the midterms.

“The Democrats proved throughout this primary that they are afraid,” Colorado GOP Kristi Burton Brown said in a written statement Tuesday. “They are afraid because their candidates have failed. They are a rubber stamp on the Biden agenda of record breaking gas prices and costly inflation.”

Crow urged Democrats to do everything in their power to maintain their majorities.

“We don’t have the luxury of losing hope,” he said. “They’re coming for us.”