November 03, 2010 04:25 AM UTC

Colorado Election Results Open Thread

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE (11:25): The big Denver paper and many of the other big TV stations have some major problems with their reporting. The Denver Post, for example, had Buck ahead of Bennet 48-46, on the strength of a 52-45 advantage in Boulder. A quick check of the Boulder Clerk and Recorder’s website has Bennet leading Buck 67-29. There are a lot of somebodies who should have caught this immediately — there’s no way Boulder County would go solid red for any Republican.

We recommend sticking with the results from Fox 31, which not only has a page that seems to actually load correctly, but isn’t making any obvious errors that we can see.

—–

UPDATE (11:16): It looks like we may be headed for at least one state legislative recount. In HD-29, Democratic Rep. Debbie Benefield trails Republican Robert Ramirez by 148 votes (50.34% to 49.66%).

—–

UPDATE (11:12): That didn’t last long. With 56% of ballots counted, Bennet and Buck are now tied at 47-47.

—–

UPDATE (11:00): Buck has pulled ahead of Bennet for the first time tonight, leading 49-46 with 49% of precincts reporting.

—–

UPDATE (9:50): It’s looking like the race that will have the biggest impact from an ACP candidate will not be the one anybody expected. The Secretary of State race is neck-and-neck, but the ACP candidate is already pulling 6% of the vote. Buescher may well win this seat by virtue of the American Constitution Party.

—–

UPDATE (9:44): The percentage of precincts reporting continues to rise, and Michael Bennet continues to hold a 50-45 lead over Ken Buck. This is not good news for Buck, because early returns should have favored him (Republicans voted in higher numbers than Democrats in early and absentee voting). Given Buck’s numerous gaffes in the last two weeks of the campaign, it’s not likely that late voters are going to choose him over Bennet, so it’s hard to see how Buck is going to make up 5 points with 27% of the vote already tallied.

—–

UPDATE (9:08): It’s always fun to see those really early returns that show absurd numbers. In HD-22, Democrat Christine Radeff is pummeling Republican incumbent Ken Summers 7,875 to 12. Yes, 12. For a few more minutes, anyway.

—–

UPDATE (9:05): Republican Cory Gardner is being declared the winner in CD-4.

—–

UPDATE (9:03): The Secretary of State race is coming down to the wire, and may be decided by the number of votes pulled in by the American Constitution Party candidate. Meanwhile, the race for Attorney General seems to be widening in favor of incumbent John Suthers.

—–

UPDATE (9:00): Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter has been declared the winner in CD-7.

—–

UPDATE (8:38): The old adage that Jefferson County decides statewide elections is largely holding form. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, unofficially, are doing better in Jefferson County, as is John Suthers. Cary Kennedy and Walker Stapleton are neck-and-neck in Jeffco, while Scott Gessler leads Bernie Buescher in the large west Denver suburb.

—–

UPDATE (8:35): Ladies and gentlemen, your next Governor…John Hickenlooper! The race has been called for Hick. Now the excitement turns to whether or not Dan Maes can cross the 10% threshold. From a Hickenlooper press release:

Colorado voters on Tuesday elected John Hickenlooper, a brewpub pioneer turned Mayor of Denver, as the 42nd Governor of Colorado.

“I am humbled and honored by the decision Colorado’s voters have made, and I accept the challenge you have entrusted to me to lead our state as Governor,” Hickenlooper said. “This is not the end of our journey. This is the beginning. And it starts with bringing people together.”

—–

UPDATE (8:20): Here’s a couple of developing stories to watch. All of this can change, of course, but as of right now…

—–

We’ll update results as we can. In the meantime, please keep them updated, with links, in the comments below.

*NOTE: Candidates in bold and italics have been declared the winner by at least one local news outlet.

U.S. SENATE

Michael Bennet (D): 47%

Ken Buck (R): 47%

56% reporting

GOVERNOR

John Hickenlooper (D): 51%

Tom Tancredo (ACP): 37%

Dan Maes (R): 11%

48% reporting

STATE TREASURER

Cary Kennedy (D): 51%

Walker Stapleton (R): 49%

44% reporting

ATTORNEY GENERAL

John Suthers (R): 57%

Stan Garnett (D): 43%

44% reporting

SECRETARY OF STATE

Bernie Buescher (D): 44%

Scott Gessler (R): 50%

Amanda Campbell (ACP): 6%

44% reporting

CD-3

John Salazar (D): 45%

Scott Tipton (R): 50%

63% reporting

CD-4

Betsy Markey (D): 41%

Cory Gardner (R): 53%

Doug Aden (ACP): 5%

Ken “Wasko” (I): 1%

69% reporting

CD-7

Ed Perlmutter (D): 53%

Ryan Frazier (R): 42%

16% reporting