Hickenlooper wins Colorado Senate Democratic primary over Gonzales

Sen. John Hickenlooper overcame a bid from state Sen. Julie Gonzales, NBC News projects, after she argued Democrats need a new generation of leadership.

Sen. John Hickenlooper has won Colorado’s Democratic Senate primary in his bid for re-election, NBC News projects, defeating state Sen. Julie Gonzales in what he has said will most likely be his final campaign for elected office.

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Hickenlooper, 74, a former governor, Denver mayor and brewery owner who flipped the seat for Democrats in 2020, will be 80 years old by the end of his next term if he wins the general election, as he is favored to do in blue Colorado.

He led Gonzales 57% to 43% with more than 80% of the expected vote tallied.