The most interesting race in the lineup (though not exciting) is probably the GOP Senate nomination contest in Utah between Senate Orrin Hatch and former State Senator Dan Liljenquist.  Two years ago, the Tea Party successfully blocked then-Senator Bob Bennett's re-nomination bid and watched Mike Lee waltz to a victory for the GOP in the general election.  This year, an attempt to unseat Hatch doesn't appear headed for the same outcome, however, as the incumbent enjoys a substantial lead in the polls.

Update:  I failed to mention that New York is also holding its primary on Tuesday.  Sorry for the omission.



Filed under:  Colorado 2012  Oklahoma 2012  Utah 2012  UT President 2012  UT Senate 2012 

Reapportionment and Redistricting:  Colorado's house delegation (7 seats) saw no change as a result of the 2010 census' reapportionment, and Cook's Political Report expects no partisan advantage from redistricting.  However, the newly drawn map, settled on amid much partisan acrimony, is in the hands of the courts.  What map emerges is anyone's guess.

President:  Colorado has enjoyed battleground status in presidential elections for some time now.  Since Ronald Reagan's 2-1 triumph here in 1984, no candidate has won the state's electoral votes by more than a 9-point margin.  During that time, 4 Republicans and 2 Democrats have won here, so this state has, indeed, been up for grabs over the last generation.  2012 looks to be no different.  Either party's nominee could bag this state, but early on, I'll give President Obama a slight advantage - Weak DEM Hold.

Senate:  There is no Senate race here in 2012, but there are two freshmen Democrats who will be up for re-election over the next two cycles - Mark Udall in 2014 and Michael Bennet in 2016.

Governor:  Democrat John Hickenlooper won Colorado's statehouse in 2010.  He won't be up for re-election until 2014.

House:  On the congressional front, things appear to be less unstable this go 'round.  Normally, at least a couple Colorado House seats find their way onto my hotly-contested list.  No so, so far in this cycle.  Two seats, CD-3 and CD-4, both held by Republicans, are classified as possibly competitive however, so we may yet get to track a competitive race or two here.

All the details can be had on the Colorado state page.

Next stop: Connecticut



Filed under:  Colorado 2012  CO President 2012  CO House 2012