Voting results, in Colorado and Washington, D.C., with comments
EDITOR’S NOTES: This is one of our “One Stop Shopping” articles, where we gather information from multiple sources, tv news, social media, web sites, and more, and put them all in one place to save you hours of searching. Enjoy!
UPDATES ARE CLEARLY MARKED: ***UPDATES 11/16/22***
List of political winners in Colorado,
Initiatives on Colorado Ballot,
Washington, DC political winners,
followed by Comments (local and national)
Colorado winners
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Governor incumbent Jared Polis of the Democratic Party was announced the winner during last night’s Election Night, November 8.
As of Wednesday, Polis holds 57.6% of the vote statewide with 1,085,082 votes while his Republican opponent Heidi Ganahl sits at 40.8% with 759,989 votes; which is an ever larger margin than his last win for the office of governor.
United States Senator (representing Lyons)
Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet has won re election for a 3rd term for U.S. Senate position representing the state of Colorado; a seat he has held since 2009. (Bennett ran an unsuccessful bid for president in the past election). 1,314,240 votes – 55.2% (O’Dea 42%)
United States House (representing Lyons)
Democratic candidate Joe Neguse will serve his third term in office, with 178,622 votes – 69.8%. Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018.
US HOUSE winners: 11/12/22
District 1 – Diana DeGette, Democrat, 14th term
District 2 (Lyons)- Joe Neguse, Democrat
District 3 – Lauren Boebert, Republican, leads by 0.34% (undecided)
District 4 – Ken Buck, Republican
District 5 – Doug Lamborn, Republican
District 6 – Jason Crow, Democrat
State Secretary of State
Jena Griswold (an Estes Park native) will serve another term as Secretary of State with 54.1% of the vote.
State Senator – new District 15 – includes LYONS (was SD 18)
Not confirmed as of Wednesday: Republican incumbent Rob Woodward trails with 29,111 votes – 48.2% of the vote – While Democratic candidate Janice Marchman leads with 31,248 votes – 51.8% of the vote. ***UPDATE 11/12/22*** Marchman wins the seat.
Marchman is behind in Larimer County (eg Estes Park) with 47.6% of the vote but has a landslide advantage over Woodward in Boulder County (eg Lyons) with 75.4% of the vote.
State House District 49 – Boulder and more
In the State House District 49 race that incorporates Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, Democratic incumbent Judy Amabile will serve another term after being announced the victor during Election night’s results. As of Nov. 9th, she holds 64.3% of the vote. She previously represented House District 13, in 2021, before the redistricting.
State Attorney General
Democratic candidate Phil Weiser has won his second 4-year term as Attorney General after receiving 57% of the vote. (He served in the Obama administration)
State Treasurer
Democratic candidate Dave Young has won his second 4-year term as State Treasurer. Young currently has 68,778 votes – 56.8% of the vote.
State Lieutenant Governor
Dianne Primavera will continue as Lt Governor: beginning in 2006, Dianne served four terms in the State Legislature. She has been Gov. Polis’ running mate since they were elected in 2018. The lieutenant governor of Colorado acts as governor of Colorado in the absence of the officeholder and succeeds to the governorship in case of vacancy.
Other Information: Most of the winning governors and Secretary of States elected across the nation this November were Democrats. == The Secretary’s highest profile duty of the office is oversight and administration of secure and accurate elections. == In Colorado the succession for the Governor’s Office is as follows: Lt. Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and then the Minority Leaders. == Rep. Diana DeGette is one of 20 women who have served 25 years or longer in the House of Representatives in Washington. DeGette won a 14th term representing Colorado’s First District in Congress on Tuesday, with 79% of the votes, defeating political newcomer Jennifer Qualteri at 18%.
Initiatives on Ballot
Prop 122 – regulate natural medicine (mushrooms) 51% yes
Prop 123 – Affordable Housing fund 51% yes
Prop 124- More Retail Liquor Licenses to chain stores 62% no
Prop 125 – Expand Alcohol Licenses – wine in grocery stores 50/50% – update *11/12* will probably go into a “recount”
Prop 126 – Allow Alcohol Delivery 53% no
Prop FF – Fund School Meals (for all kids) 55% yes
Prop E – extend Homestead exemption to Gold Star Spouses – 88% yes
Prop GG – Add Tax info to ballots 71% yes
Prop 121 – Reduce State Income Tax rate 66% yes
Amendment F – Charitable/bingos expansion – 61% no
BALLOT ISSUE 6E – Estes Valley – 2% lodging tax – looks like a yes
Boulder County Issue 1A to fund wildfire mitigation – Yes 73%
Boulder County Issue 1B to fund emergency rescue and ambulance services – Yes 69%
Boulder County Issue 1C to continue to fund transportation improvements and services – Yes 81%
LYONS 2 INITIATIVES ON THE BALLOT: **UPDATE** 11/16/22: The two ballot issues in Lyons appear to be a “yes.” It is not OFFICIALLY announced yet (Boulder County does the voting, not Lyons), but so far Issue 2G is 77.4% yes; and Ballot Question 2H is 72.9% yes. == two local ballot measures regarding an increase in the lodging tax and allowing for arts and cultural facilities to be a permitted use and non-profit facilities to be a conditional use in the parks and open space (POS) zoning district.
US Senate & House
The balance of Power was not decided as of Wednesday evening. There were many more Democrats who won their seats than expected. Almost all the major news stations specifically stated that the predicted “Red Wave” didn’t materialize. Some claim it is due to the most widely publicized and controversial races allegedly having “unfit for office” Republican candidates. As of Wednesday night, November 9th:
===Election 2022: Senate Republicans 49 vs. 48 Democrats
**UPDATE** 11/11/22 — now 49 vs. 49 with Nevada and Georgia left to report. —The Democrats need one more seat to win control, as Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tie-breaking vote.—In Nevada, incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto is within 800 votes of the Republican state attorney general Adam Laxalt.
**UPDATED** 11/16/22 — With Democrats Kelly (51.4% AZ) and Cortez-Mastro (48.9% NV) winning, it puts the Democrats in charge of the Senate.
Chuck Schumer is the Senate Majority leader; and Mitch McConnell, the Minority (beating out Scott’s challenge)
=== Election 2022: House Democrats 213 vs. Republicans 222 (total of 435 seats)
Republicans were holding 212 seats in the current Congress, and needed to pick up just six more to gain the majority. Democrats currently hold 220 seats. (plus 3 vacant)
**UPDATE** 11/11/22 Republicans are in position to reach the 218 seats they need to flip the chamber. As of Friday, CBS News estimates Republicans will win at least 213 seats while Democrats are estimated to win at least 206 seats. As of Friday, there are just under 30 races that have not been called, and at least 10 seats are considered “battlegrounds.”
**UPDATE** 11/16/22 Democrats have 210 seats (6 pickups); and Republicans have 218 seats (18 pickups) which is the minimum number they needed to get control of the House. McCarthy won the nomination for House speaker on Tuesday, with a formal vote to come when the new Congress convenes in January. They plan to concentrate on the border, the IRS, and Democrat-related investigations.
Remaining races: Alaska, 4 in California, Maine, Oregon,==== Colorado (Boebert 50.2% vs. Frisch 49.8%) –and– Kirkmeyer 47.7% vs. Caraveo 48.4% (not “called”, although Kirkmeyer has conceded).
Other battleground runs: final results – NCarolina – R // Ohio – R // Florida -R // New Hampshire – D // Pennsylvania – D // Wisconsin – R // Georgia – in runoff // Arizona – too close to call // Nevada — too close to call
===Republican wins: Ron Johnson, Wisconsin, and J.D. Vance, Ohio, had wins in their Senate races, and the GOP swept key races in Florida. Vance, the “Hillbilly Elegy” author initially was a tough critic of Donald Trump, but converted to a loyal ally, and defeated Democrat Tim Ryan.
==Democrats faced a disadvantage because of the redistricting that occurred after the 2020 census. (Lyons was put in a new District) Several heavily Republican states gained seats, while some heavily Democratic and battleground states lost a seat.
Comments (local and national)
Rallies — Colorado POLITICAL “BUS” – the Democrats hit our area BIG TIME! On Sunday, November 6. They went to Ft. Collins, and Loveland, and then hit Estes Park (100+ attendees), and next Longmont (another 100+) and then Main Stage Brewing in Lyons at 7p.m. (fewer attendees). Polis / Bennet / Neguse / Weiser / Marchman were the key speakers with some others that “fit the city” joining the group in particular locations. Great snacking/beverages, sharing with fellow supporters, and lots of applause and cheers filled the room!
Inflation vs. Abortion
While early polls and politicians said that the Economy was the #1 concern (“inflation”), and Abortion was at the bottom, it turned out, based on Exit Polls that Inflation was about 30% and Abortion was just under 30% as to the reason why people chose who to vote for. Those favoring Inflation, mostly voted Republican, and those favoring Abortion rights mainly voted Democrat. === Abortion Rights in the State Elections: Voters in California, Vermont and Michigan opted Tuesday to put abortion rights in their state constitutions. Voters in Kentucky rejected a ballot proposal that would have amended the state constitution to say it doesn’t protect abortion rights.
(Don’t trust those early poll results! Didn’t we learn anything from the 2012 Election?)
On Election Night, Gov. Jared Polis said in his acceptance speech: “I’m excited because I love this job, I love Colorado. Colorado’s best days are ahead of us. I focus on protecting our freedom and lowering our taxes and costs. I work for them, and will always do what’s right for Colorado. Reduce costs. Economy – thrive. School – best in nation. Make our streets safer. We’ve been through fires, pandemic, and more.” (Colorado had the 9th lowest pandemic death rate in the nation) He has the state already aimed for 80% renewable energy by 2030, and is adding a goal of 100% by 2040.
The state’s most controversial legislator Lauren Boebert: Democratic challenger Adam Frisch held a slight lead over Rep. Lauren Boebert with about 36% of the vote counted as of 9 p.m. on Election night, but the forecast showed that the remaining ballots to be counted were in-person voters, who tended to be Republicans, and areas that tended to be Republican. Frisch’s district – which covers the Western Slope and southern Colorado, including Grand Junction and Pueblo – appears to be drawing some of the disillusioned voters by Boebert’s brash style, conspiracy theories, and support of former President Donald Trump. — at 9p.m. 52% Frisch vs 48% Boebert. — as of 5p.m the next day, the divide was only 100 votes. *UPDATE* 11/12/22 — The vote is at 50/50 and is likely to go into “recount.”
Colorado’s one House seat “to watch” which has shown unexpected results, is Democrat Y. Caraveo at 48.4% vs. Republican B.Kirkmeyer at 47.7%. – *UPDATE* 11/13/22 — Kirkmeyer concedes.
In other High Profile Runs / Battleground States
==A day before the election, Electoral College polls had Republican Mehmet Oz slightly favored to win the Pennsylvania Senate race. But election night it was John Fetterman who won 50.6% vs. 47% for Oz, who was a tv personality.
==Democratic incumbent senator Raphael Warnock was 49.4% vs. sports star Herschel Walker at 48.5% in Georgia senate race. Since neither got 50% of the vote, the law states that it now goes into a RunOff election. It will happen in four weeks.
==Arizona incumbent Democrat senator Mark Kelly was 51.3% vs. Masters at 46.5% and too close to call. Kelly is a former astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords.
==Also in Arizona was the governor race, with Democratic Hobbs at 50.2% vs. Lake at 49.8%, which is still too close to call. Lake being one of the loudest election deniers. — 300+ Republican nominees have declared themselves as election deniers.
On Election night, Sr. Michael Bennet stated in his acceptance speech: “We cut child poverty almost in half.” (The Recorder has previously listed the many important Bills that he helped write, present, and pass in Washington). Pres Biden talked to Sr Bennet Tuesday night to congratulate him; and he had lost his dog, and was looking for him. Bennett noticed that Biden was wearing his Colorado CAMP HALE! hat from the recent park dedication. The next day, he did a lengthy interview on MSNBC.
Pres. Joe Biden called all the winners that evening, and the incumbent legislators said that they were not hammered as expected by the Biden Administration’s efforts, but that they lead on the Infrastructure Bill, the Rescue Plan and the Chips act and what effect it had on their district. (per MSNBC) Biden said, “While the press and the pundits were predicting a giant red wave, it didn’t happen.”=== Regarding 2024 presidential election plans, Biden has said: “Our intention is to run again. That’s been our intention regardless of what the outcome of this election was.” His decision to run for re-election would be made together with his wife. “This is ultimately a family decision.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday to reporters that predictions of a “red wave” failed to materialize, and they were “feeling good” about results, adding that voters rejected “the Republican MAGA agenda.” He added, “I think the pundits missed it. People are really worried about democracy.”