Face the State

Face The State Staff Report

Yesterday, Face The State profiled the state's top Senate races to watch this year. Below are nine others which currently lean to one party or another, but will be noteworthy in their own right this election season.

At Face The State, we will be providing an up-to-the minute analysis of the hottest races you'll want to be watching. You'll get the chance to know the players, how much cash they have on hand, and how they stack up against their opposition. Have an idea for an election profile? Let us know. Email us at newstips@FaceTheState.com.

LEANING REPUBLICAN

Senate District 4

This strong Republican district can expect an exciting primary in August. There has been a multitude of Republican candidates who are vying to replace Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, who shocked supporters by announcing late in the legislative session that he would not seek re-election to this Douglas County seat. Declared candidates include Ed Brewer, Randy Reed, Mark Scheffel, Bob Denny and Mark Vanderbilt.

Registration: Republican 51.43%; Democrat 18.41%
Cash on hand: Ed Brewer $49,921.00; Reed N/A; Vanderbilt N/A

Senate District 10

Sen. Ron May retired just before the 2008 legislative session and was replaced by then-Rep. Bill Cadman. Cadman should have no trouble defending this strong Republican seat against Democrat Dine Whitley.

Registration: Republican 49.35%; Democrat 19%; Unaffiliated 31.39%
Cash on hand: Cadman N/A; Whitely $689.54

Senate District 12

This is a strong Republican seat that was held by Senate Majority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, for 8 years. Republican and former state Rep. Keith King should top Democrat Pete Lee this November.

Registration: Republican 44.56%; Democrat 22.67%; Unaffiliated 32.48%
Cash on hand: King $7,411.93; Lee $15,756.37

Senate District 27

One look at the money race here, and it's clear that the well-respected Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, can expect to be easily re-elected against Nathan Wilkes in this Arapahoe County district.

Registration: Republican 43.26%; Democrat 25.9%; Unaffiliated 30.61%
Cash on hand: Spence $50,056.04; Wilkes $3,065.02

LEANING DEMOCRAT

Senate District 18

Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, is termed limited. The most this strong Democrat district can hope for is an interesting primary. Current University of Colorado Regent Cindy Carlisle will face off with Rollie Heath, the state's 2002 Democrat gubenatorial candidate. Let the battle to the left begin.

Registration: Republican 18.25%; Democrat 42.34%; Unaffiliated 38.69%
Cash on hand: Carlisle $10,293.02; Heath $33,979.24

Senate District 29

This seat, held by termed-out Democrat Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, has been a strong performer for Democrats in recent years, but such numbers also speak to Hagedorn's personal popularity. Hagedorn, a former Republican, is a strong school choice supporter and a moderate on business issues. Running to replace him is current state Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, whose liberal ideology might not sit as well with moderates in the district. She will face-off against Republican Suzanne Andrews.

Registration: Republican 23.9%; Democrat 38.63%; Unaffiliated 37.19%
Cash on hand: Andrews N/A; Carroll $10,293.13

Senate District 31

Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, just wrapped up a successful first term in the Colorado Senate and can say she is responsible for bringing Sunday liquor sales to tailgaters across Colorado. With overwhelming support from within her district and no Republican opponent to speak of, Veiga should lock up this seat once again.

Registration: Republican 18.25%; Democrat 42.34%; Unaffiliated 38.69%
Cash on hand: Veiga $16,175.53

Senate District 33

Current Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver, and winner of Face The State's Golden Boy award should have no trouble keeping his seat. Especially since he is running unopposed.

Registration: Republican 12.29%; Democrat 51.45%; Unaffiliated 35.79%
Cash on hand: Groff $5,309.33

Senate District 35

Saving the best for last: We're already having fun watching this race. While current state Rep. Alice Borodkin, D-Denver, may have thought she could swoop in to replace term-limited Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, she's getting a run for her money. As we reported on May 9, Borodkin took the unusual step of sending a letter to primary opponent Joyce Foster, that insunated Foster has concerning conflicts of interest. As of now, Foster leads Borodkin in fundraising by nearly $50,000. Given district registration numbers, it's tempting to assume that this race will be over after Democrats vote in their August primary. Certainly, we'll be watching it closely until then. But with GOP candidate Bob Lane running as a strong moderate, we may just see a strong two-party race here, with the Republicans pulling ahead in November. Insiders are viewing this seat as a possible GOP pick up.

Registration: Republican 27.04%; Democrat 38.7%; Unaffiliated 33.87%
Cash on hand: Lane ($121.52); Borodkin $17,204.94; Foster $27,236.08