# 2018 Colorado Senate election

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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.
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. However, Sen. Jahn decided to still caucus with Democrats. In the 2018 election, Republicans defended 10 seats, while Democrats defended six seats, with Jahn's one Independent seat up for grabs.
To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net one Senate seat while electing a Democrat to the Independent seat. The Democratic candidate won the Independent seat, while Democrats netted two 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.

## Background

Heading to the 2018 elections, Republicans held a one-seat majority in the Senate and sought to defend their very narrow majority in the election. Democrats had 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.
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 which Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won in 2016.

## Summary of results

* Districts not shown would not be up for election until 2020.
| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected senator | Party |
| 1st | Jerry Sonnenberg | Rep | Jerry Sonnenberg | Rep |
| 2nd | Kevin Grantham | Rep | Dennis Hisey | Rep |
| 3rd | Leroy Garcia | Dem | Leroy Garcia | Dem |
| 5th | Kerry Donovan | Dem | Kerry Donovan | Dem |
| 6th | Don Coram | Rep | Don Coram | Rep |
| 7th | Ray Scott | Rep | Ray Scott | Rep |
| 9th | Kent Lambert | Rep | Paul Lundeen | Rep |
| 11th | Michael Merrifield | Dem | Pete Lee | Dem |
| 13th | John Cooke | Rep | John Cooke | Rep |
| 15th | Kevin Lundberg | Rep | Rob Woodward | Rep |
| 16th | Tim Neville | Rep | Tammy Story | Dem |
| 20th | Cheri Jahn | Ind | Jessie Danielson | Dem |
| 22nd | Andy Kerr | Dem | Brittany Pettersen | Dem |
| 24th | Beth Martinez Humenik | Rep | Faith Winter | Dem |
| 30th | Chris Holbert | Rep | Chris Holbert | Rep |
| 32nd | Irene Aguilar | Dem | Robert Rodriguez | Dem |
| 34th | Lucía Guzmán | Dem | Julie Gonzales | Dem |
Source:

## Incumbents not seeking re-election
### Term-limited incumbents

Seven incumbent senators (three Democrats, three Republicans and one independent) were term-limited and unable to seek a third term.
* Kevin Grantham (R), District 2
* Kent Lambert (R), District 9
* Kevin Lundberg (R), District 15
* Cheri Jahn (I), District 20
* Andy Kerr (D), District 22
* Irene Aguilar (D) District 32
* Lucia Guzman (D), District 34

### Retiring incumbents

One incumbent Democrat did not seek re-election despite being able to do so.
* Michael Merrifield (D), District 11

## Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* District 15, 6.18%
* District 6, 9.38%

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Tossup | October 8, 2018 |

## Detailed results

Sources:

### District 1

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Debra Gustafson | 5,523 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,523 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) | 23,879 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,879 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 1st District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) | 52,311 | 79.01 |
| | Democratic | Debra Gustafson | 13,894 | 20.99 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,205 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 2

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Beth "Hart" Harz | 6,813 | 74.09 |
| | Democratic | Dennis Obduskey | 2,383 | 25.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,196 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dennis Hisey | 12,818 | 57.95 |
| | Republican | Stephanie Luck | 9,302 | 42.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,120 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 2nd District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dennis Hisey | 42,531 | 65.32 |
| | Democratic | Beth "Hart" Harz | 22,583 | 34.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,114 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) | 15,423 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,423 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 3rd District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) | 39,768 | 73.62 |
| | Libertarian | John Pickerill | 14,253 | 26.38 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 54,021 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 5

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kerry Donovan (incumbent) | 13,707 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,707 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Olen Lund | 9,796 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,796 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 5th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kerry Donovan (incumbent) | 41,838 | 60.45 |
| | Republican | Olen Lund | 27,375 | 39.55 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,213 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 6

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Don Coram (incumbent) | 14,893 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,893 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Guinn Unger, Jr. | 11,392 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,392 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 6th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Don Coram (incumbent) | 40,088 | 54.69 |
| | Democratic | Guinn Unger, Jr. | 33,208 | 45.31 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,296 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Chris Kennedy | 8,996 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,996 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ray Scott (incumbent) | 14,361 | 64.07 |
| | Republican | Dan Thurlow | 8,054 | 35.93 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,415 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 7th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ray Scott (incumbent) | 42,327 | 63.62 |
| | Democratic | Chris Kennedy | 24,205 | 36.38 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,532 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 9

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gil Armendariz | 9,751 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,751 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul Lundeen | 26,206 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,206 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 9th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul Lundeen | 61,341 | 70.32 |
| | Democratic | Gil Armendariz | 25,892 | 29.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 87,233 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 11

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Pete Lee | 10,499 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,499 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pat McIntire | 7,580 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,580 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 11th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Pete Lee | 28,015 | 61.96 |
| | Republican | Pat McIntire | 17,200 | 38.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,215 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 13

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Cooke (incumbent) | 10,763 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,763 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Phil Kelley | 7,667 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,667 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 13th District :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 56,255 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 15

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Cranston | 14,699 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,699 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rob Woodward | 16,023 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,023 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 15th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rob Woodward | 44,434 | 53.09 |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Cranston | 39,256 | 46.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,690 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 16

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tim Neville (incumbent) | 12,996 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,996 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tammy Story | 18,424 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,424 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 16th District :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 85,154 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 20

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jessie Danielson | 19,778 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,778 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christine Jensen | 13,821 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,821 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 20th District :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 92,315 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Independent | Democratic gain from Independent | Democratic gain from Independent | Democratic gain from Independent |

### District 22

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brittany Pettersen | 16,066 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,066 | 100.0 |
Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tony Sanchez | 11,440 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,440 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 22nd District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brittany Pettersen | 42,747 | 58.16 |
| | Republican | Tony Sanchez | 30,754 | 41.84 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,501 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 24

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent) | 9,401 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,401 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Faith Winter | 14,313 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,313 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 24th District :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 68,007 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 30

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Holbert (incumbent) | 15,342 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,342 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Julia Varnell-Sarjeant | 12,031 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,031 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 30th District :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 83,262 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 32

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Calonder | 5,561 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,561 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 26,710 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 32nd District :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 74,047 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 34

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gordon Alley | 2,777 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,777 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 23,193 | 100.0 |
2018 Colorado Senate election, 34th District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Julie Gonzales | 54,312 | 83.13 |
| | Republican | Gordon Alley | 11,018 | 16.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,330 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | 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. 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. Races that were considered competitive but eventually won by the so-called "Fab Five" of Faith Winter, Jessie Danielson, Tammy Story, Kerry Donovan, and Brittany Petersen were won by relatively large margins. Due to Democrats flipping the Senate, they were able to gain a political trifecta, as they expanded their majorities in the state House and won all statewide races, including for governor.
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.