FOUR COLORADO STATE HOUSE LAWMAKERS FACE PRIMARY CHALLENGES IN 2024
Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the state legislature, only four incumbent Colorado House lawmakers will face primary challengers this year as they strive to retain their seats, according to candidate filings with the secretary of state.
Surprisingly, the other 55 incumbents running for reelection are expected to go unchallenged in their primaries in June, a sign of the perceived strength and support they enjoy within their districts.
One of the most contested races is in House District 6, where two Democrats, Sean Camacho and Tyler Berthelot-Meres, have registered to take on freshman Rep. Elisabeth Epps for the party's nomination.
Despite warnings from House leadership, Rep. Epps continues to disrupt the legislative process with her ongoing rants. This time, she has joined pro-Palestinian protesters in the gallery to heckle the only Republican Jewish member of the House, Rep. Ron Weinberg. (November 20, 2023)
Rep. Epps gained national attention for her outburst of profanities directed at the House's lone Republican Jewish member during a special session in November. Her controversial behavior during the 2022 primary race, which she won by a narrow margin, suggests that this year's primary will be closely watched and potentially expensive.
In House District 4, freshman Democratic Rep. Tim Hernández of Denver faces a primary challenge from retired appellate judge Cecelia Espenoza. Espenoza finished second in this year's vacancy committee meeting that ultimately selected Hernández.
The “apology video” is Hernández’s second public statement since he attended the rally outside of the state Capitol on Oct. 7th -- the same day that Hamas killed hundreds of people in Israel and kidnapped scores more.
Both Epps and Hernández have faced criticism within their own House caucus and have made negative headlines.
Hernandez's appointment through a contentious process and his attendance at a pro-Palestine rally following the Hamas attack on Israel drew criticism from both sides of the aisle. Epps, on the other hand, publicly criticized House Speaker Julie McCluskie's leadership and caused a stall in the recent special session by introducing a pro-Palestine amendment.
Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat, also has a primary challenger in Tina Mueh.
Mueh previously came second to Joseph when the Boulder County Democratic Party selected a replacement for former Rep. Edie Hooton on the 2022 ballot. While Joseph went on to win the general election, 2024 will be her first full election cycle, and Mueh believes that the seat should be determined through an election to better represent the priorities of the district.
READ MORE:
HERNANDEZ APPEARS TO APOLOGIZE FOR LEAVING PAINFUL QUESTIONS
REP. EPPS REMOVED FROM JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR CLASHES OF DECORUM
COLORADO JEWISH DEMOCRATS CALL FOR AN END TO "DANGEROUS" RHETORIC AMIDST ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT
Finally, Republican Rep. Mary Bradfield will face Joshua Griffin, a veteran and former Colorado State University football player, as she seeks a third term in the House. Bradfield previously faced a primary challenge in 2022 but secured the party's nomination by a significant margin.
The primary elections for Colorado's legislative seats will take place on June 25.