Secretary of State Jena Griswold and El Paso County District Attorney Michael J. Allen will face off in November to become Colorado’s next attorney general.
The attorney general’s office represents Colorado’s government whenever someone sues to overturn a law or seeks compensation for state actions. Whichever candidate wins in November will also decide when to sue the federal government and how to use the office’s enforcement powers.
The Associated Press called both races in the first hour after the polls closed Tuesday, declaring Griswold had won the Democratic race at 7:23 p.m. and that Allen clinched the Republican nomination at 7:56 p.m. The winner will succeed Phil Weiser, who won the Democratic nomination for governor Tuesday night.
Griswold led the Democratic field with about 46% of the vote as of Wednesday afternoon. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty was in second place with nearly 20%, followed by David Seligman, executive director of Towards Justice, a nonprofit law firm focused on labor rights, with 18%, and former assistant U.S. Attorney Hetal Doshi, with 16%.
Allen led with more than 60% of the vote, compared to nearly 40% for former U.S. Army Attorney David Willson. The two previously faced off in the El Paso County district attorney race.
Throughout the campaign, Griswold led the field in name recognition as the only candidate currently holding a statewide office. She also has raised the most money, with $2 million in donations as of Monday.
Griswold's candidacy has focused on opposing what she calls illegal acts by the Trump administration, but fellow Democrats said she lacks courtroom experience and is using the attorney general's office as a "stepping stone" toward other ambitions.
In a statement Tuesday evening, Griswold reiterated that she sees protecting Colorado from a "hostile administration" as a top priority.
"I will fight for workers and families, and stand up to corporate special interests. As AG, I will protect our environment and reproductive rights, and continue to defend our gold standard elections. Together, we will write a new chapter for Colorado, one where justice serves the people, not the powerful," she said.
Allen, who has been a prosecutor for more than 20 years, said during his campaign that he believes voters want to see change in the attorney general's office. Weiser has sued the Trump administration dozens of times for alleged overreaches.
Allen, who as district attorney created units focused on election integrity and organized crime, said he wanted to ensure criminal justice reform doesn't go too far. Without accountability, people will commit more crimes, contributing to the state's high cost of living, he said.
