Progressive Rep. Jared Polis won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s gubernatorial race to replace the term-limited Gov. John Hickenlooper.
The five-term congressman tracked left on universal healthcare and proposed free pre-K and full-day public kindergarten for students. Though former state treasurer Cary Kennedy put up a fight, gaining grass-roots support and the backing of the Colorado Education Association teachers union, Polis prevailed.
The state hasn’t elected a Republican to the governor’s mansion since Bill Owens who served from 1999 to 2007. The last time the purple state voted for a Republican for president was in 2004. State Treasurer Walker Stapleton won the GOP nomination and will face Polis.
If Polis were elected he’d be the first openly gay governor of Colorado.
