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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.
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 6 seats with Jahn's 1 Independent seat up for grabs.
To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net 1 Senate seat while electing a Democrat to the Independent seat. The Democratic candidate won the Independent seat while Democrats netted 2 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 1-seat majority in the Senate and sought to defend their very narrow majority in the election. Democrats have 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 in where Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won in 2016.[4][5]
Summary of Results
- Districts not shown are not up for election until 2020.
Source:[6][7]
Incumbents not seeking re-election
Term-limited incumbents
Seven incumbent senators (three Democrats, three Republicans and one independent) are term-limited and unable to seek a third term.
Retiring incumbents
One incumbent Democrat is not seeking re-election despite being able to do so.
Closest races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 15, 6.18%
- District 6, 9.38%
Detailed results
Sources:[6][8]
District 1
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Debra Gustafson | 5,523 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 5,523 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) | 23,879 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 23,879 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 1st District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) | 52,311 | 79.01 |
| Democratic | Debra Gustafson | 13,894 | 20.99 |
Total votes | 66,205 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 2
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Beth "Hart" Harz | 6,813 | 74.09 |
| Democratic | Dennis Obduskey | 2,383 | 25.91 |
Total votes | 9,196 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Dennis Hisey | 12,818 | 57.95 |
| Republican | Stephanie Luck | 9,302 | 42.05 |
Total votes | 22,120 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 2nd District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Dennis Hisey | 42,531 | 65.32 |
| Democratic | Beth "Hart" Harz | 22,583 | 34.68 |
Total votes | 65,114 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 3
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) | 15,423 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 15,423 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 3rd District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) | 39,768 | 73.62 |
| Libertarian | John Pickerill | 14,253 | 26.38 |
Total votes | 54,021 | 100.0 |
| Democratic hold |
District 5
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Kerry Donovan (incumbent) | 13,707 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 13,707 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Olen Lund | 9,796 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 9,796 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 5th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Kerry Donovan (incumbent) | 41,838 | 60.45 |
| Republican | Olen Lund | 27,375 | 39.55 |
Total votes | 69,213 | 100.0 |
| Democratic hold |
District 6
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Don Coram (incumbent) | 14,893 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 14,893 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Guinn Unger, Jr. | 11,392 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 11,392 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 6th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Don Coram (incumbent) | 40,088 | 54.69 |
| Democratic | Guinn Unger, Jr. | 33,208 | 45.31 |
Total votes | 73,296 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 7
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Chris Kennedy | 8,996 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 8,996 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Ray Scott (incumbent) | 14,361 | 64.07 |
| Republican | Dan Thurlow | 8,054 | 35.93 |
Total votes | 22,415 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 7th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Ray Scott (incumbent) | 42,327 | 63.62 |
| Democratic | Chris Kennedy | 24,205 | 36.38 |
Total votes | 66,532 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 9
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Gil Armendariz | 9,751 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 9,751 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Paul Lundeen | 26,206 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 26,206 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 9th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Paul Lundeen | 61,341 | 70.32 |
| Democratic | Gil Armendariz | 25,892 | 29.68 |
Total votes | 87,233 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 11
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Pete Lee | 10,499 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 10,499 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Pat McIntire | 7,580 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 7,580 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 11th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Pete Lee | 28,015 | 61.96 |
| Republican | Pat McIntire | 17,200 | 38.04 |
Total votes | 45,215 | 100.0 |
| Democratic hold |
District 13
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | John Cooke (incumbent) | 10,763 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 10,763 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Phil Kelley | 7,667 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 7,667 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 13th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | John Cooke (incumbent) | 33,026 | 58.71 |
| Democratic | Phil Kelley | 21,453 | 38.14 |
| Libertarian | Eric E. Joss | 1,776 | 3.16 |
Total votes | 56,255 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 15
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Rebecca Cranston | 14,699 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 14,699 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Rob Woodward | 16,023 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 16,023 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 15th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Rob Woodward | 44,434 | 53.09 |
| Democratic | Rebecca Cranston | 39,256 | 46.91 |
Total votes | 83,690 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 16
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Tim Neville (incumbent) | 12,996 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 12,996 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Tammy Story | 18,424 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 18,424 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 16th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Tammy Story | 47,403 | 55.67 |
| Republican | Tim Neville (incumbent) | 35,154 | 41.28 |
| Libertarian | James Gilman | 2,597 | 3.05 |
Total votes | 85,154 | 100.0 |
| Democratic gain from Republican |
District 20
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Jessie Danielson | 19,778 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 19,778 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Christine Jensen | 13,821 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 13,821 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 20th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Jessie Danielson | 49,974 | 54.13 |
| Republican | Christine Jensen | 39,102 | 42.36 |
| Libertarian | Charles Messick | 3,239 | 3.51 |
Total votes | 92,315 | 100.0 |
| Democratic gain from Independent |
District 22
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Brittany Pettersen | 16,066 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 16,066 | 100.0 |
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Tony Sanchez | 11,440 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 11,440 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 22nd District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Brittany Pettersen | 42,747 | 58.16 |
| Republican | Tony Sanchez | 30,754 | 41.84 |
Total votes | 73,501 | 100.0 |
| Democratic hold |
District 24
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent) | 9,401 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 9,401 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Faith Winter | 14,313 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 14,313 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 24th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Faith Winter | 35,578 | 52.32 |
| Republican | Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent) | 27,068 | 39.80 |
| Independent | Adam Matkowsky | 3,328 | 4.89 |
| Libertarian | Donald Osborn | 2,033 | 2.99 |
Total votes | 68,007 | 100.0 |
| Democratic gain from Republican |
District 30
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Chris Holbert (incumbent) | 15,342 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 15,342 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Julia Varnell-Sarjeant | 12,031 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 12,031 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 30th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Chris Holbert (incumbent) | 43,948 | 52.78 |
| Democratic | Julia Varnell-Sarjeant | 34,604 | 41.56 |
| Independent | Steve Peterson | 4,710 | 5.66 |
Total votes | 83,262 | 100.0 |
| Republican hold |
District 32
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mark Calonder | 5,561 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 5,561 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Robert Rodriguez | 10,636 | 39.82 |
| Democratic | Zach Neumann | 8,616 | 32.26 |
| Democratic | Hazel Gibson | 7,458 | 27.92 |
Total votes | 26,710 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 32nd District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Robert Rodriguez | 53,307 | 71.99 |
| Republican | Mark Calonder | 17,294 | 23.36 |
| Independent | Peter Lucas Smith | 3,446 | 4.65 |
Total votes | 74,047 | 100.0 |
| Democratic hold |
District 34
Republican Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Gordon Alley | 2,777 | 100.0 |
Total votes | 2,777 | 100.0 |
Democratic Primary Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Julie Gonzales | 14,798 | 63.80 |
| Democratic | Milo Schwab | 4,574 | 19.72 |
| Democratic | Alan Kennedy-Shaffer | 3,821 | 16.47 |
Total votes | 23,193 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 34th District Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Julie Gonzales | 54,312 | 83.13 |
| Republican | Gordon Alley | 11,018 | 16.87 |
Total votes | 65,330 | 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" including 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 Democrats 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
- United States elections, 2018
- United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado, 2018
- Colorado elections, 2018
- Colorado gubernatorial election, 2018
- Colorado Attorney General election, 2018
- Colorado Secretary of State election, 2018
- Colorado State Treasurer election, 2018
- Colorado State Board of Education election, 2018
- Regents of the University of Colorado election, 2018
- Colorado House of Representatives election, 2018
- Elections in Colorado
References
- ^ "June 26, 2018 Primary Election Official Results". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ "Senator Cheri Jahn switches party". December 29, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ a b Fish, Sandra (November 7, 2018). "Mapping the 2018 vote: Blue Colorado gets bluer and the divide remains". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b Chávez, Aída (October 30, 2018). "Total Democratic Control of Colorado Comes Down to Five Women". The Intercept. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "Colorado State Senate elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ Colorado Secretary of State. "Election Results & Data (Unofficial)". www.sos.state.co.us. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
- ^ "June 26, 2018 Primary Election Official Results". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ a b Weatherman, Lisa (November 7, 2018). "A Blue Wave Crashes Into Colorado in the 2018 Midterms". 5280. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Herrick, John (November 7, 2018). "Democrats take the Colorado Senate". The Colorado Independent. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Michael. "Colorado Legislature Election Results 2018: Dems Win House and Senate". Westword. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Michael. "Colorado Election Results 2018: Polis, the Blue Wave and the Power of TABOR". Westword. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
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