Republicans were on a roll in Colorado. Now they’re not. After losing badly to Democrats in 2004, 2006, and 2008, Republicans were optimistic about winning the governorship, a Senate seat, one to three House pickups, and any number of state legislative seats in the midterm elections in November. They may still do well, but there are problems.

The governor’s race has become a fiasco for Republicans. The frontrunner, former House member Scott McInnis, has become embroiled in a scandal over plagiarism in a report on water for which was paid $300,000. His foe in Tuesday’s primary, Don Maes, is lightly regarded as a general election candidate.