Colorado voters are poised to deny incumbent Rep. Elisabeth Epps the opportunity to go back to the state Capitol, based on the early, unofficial results posted after polls closed on Tuesday night.
Challenger Sean Camacho is ahead in the race for House District 6, the results so far show.
Epps, the executive director of a nonprofit organization, is losing to Camacho, a military veteran and attorney, by 30 points, 65% to 35%.
The winner of this Democratic primary will face Republican Kyle Witter, who ran unopposed in his party's primary. Democrats dominate the district, which means the winner of the Democratic contest holds an advantage going into the November election.
Background
House District 6 is based in central and East Denver and includes the Capitol Hill, Montclair, and Windsor Garden neighborhoods.
The district is a safe Democratic seat, with 25,355 registered Democrats, 3,695 Republicans, and 25,637 unaffiliated voters.
Many view the district's Democratic race as some kind of bell weather for how far progressive policies can thrive at the state Capitol. Epps, who was elected to the House in 2022, is regarded by many as a progressive stalwart who has repeatedly clashed with fellow Democrats, particularly with her own House leaders.
Last November, she disrupted the proceedings in her chamber when she joined pro-Palestinian protests and called her fellow lawmakers "fascist."
House Speaker Julie McCluskie reprimanded her, telling the Denver Democrat that additional infractions would lead to a more severe disciplinary action. She has accused her colleagues of treating her differently because of her race and gender.
As such, Epps has drawn criticism from several of her fellow legislators during her time in the House for a number of controversies, including filing a lawsuit against House leaders for allegedly violating transparency laws and joining the pro-Palestinian protests in the House gallery.
Epps has received endorsements from several organizations, including Colorado AFL-CIO, Moms Demand Action, the Political Workers Guild, and Cobalt.
That Epps drew a primary challenger didn't come as a surprise.
Camacho grew up in Colorado Springs and served in the Air Force after high school. He received his law degree from Suffolk University in Boston.
"I feel that my life of service has prepared me to effectively represent HD6 and successfully navigate solutions to Colorado's biggest challenges through the State House," Camacho told Colorado Politics.
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Camacho has been endorsed by a number of several Democrats in the state, including Gov. Jared Polis, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, McCluskie, and Senate President Steve Fenberg.
In other races:
House District 10
Incumbent Junie Joseph is taking the lead against challenger Tina Mueh in the House District 10 Democratic primary / Tina Mueh is taking the lead against incumbent Rep. Junie Joseph in the House District 10 Democratic primary
House District 11
Kathy Reeves is on her way to securing the Republican primary against Terri Ann Goon in House District 11 / Terri Ann Goon is on her way to securing the Republican primary against Kathy Reeves in the House District 11 Primary
House District 12
Robert Mahler is leading the polls in the Republican primary against Mark Milliman in House District 12 / Mark Milliman is leading the polls in the Republican primary against Robert Mahler in House District 12
House District 20
Jarvis Caldwell is outpacing opponent Jason Lupo in the Republican primary in House District 20 / Jason Lupo is outpacing opponent Jarvis Caldwell in the Republican primary in House District 20
House District 21
Incumbent Rep. Mary Bradfield looks to be gaining an advantage over Bill Garlington in the House District 21 Republican Primary / Bill Garlington looks to be gaining an advantage over incumbent Rep. Mary Bradfield in the House District 21 Republican primary
House District 31
Incumbent Rep. Julia Marvin is emerging as the frontrunner against Jacqueline Phillips in the House District 31 Democratic primary / Jacqueline Phillips is emerging as the frontrunner against incumbent Rep. Julia Marvin in the House District 31 Democratic primary