2018 Colorado State Senate election
# 2018 Colorado State Senate election

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The 2018 Colorado State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Colorado voters elected state senators in 17 of the 35 districts in the state senate. State senators serve four-year terms in the Colorado State Senate. The Colorado Reapportionment Commission provides a statewide map of the state Senate here, and individual district maps are available from the U.S. Census here.

A primary election on June 26, 2018 determined which candidates appeared on the November 6 general election ballot. Primary election results can be obtained from the Colorado Secretary of State's website.

Following the 2016 state Senate elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Senate with 18 members. Democratic state Senator Cheri Jahn switched from Democrat to unaffiliated on December 29, 2017. However, Sen. Jahn decided to still caucus with Democrats. In the 2018 election, Republicans defended 10 seats while Democrats defended 6 seats with Jahn's 1 Independent seat up for grabs.

To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net 1 Senate seat while electing a Democrat to the Independent seat. The Democratic candidate won the Independent seat while Democrats netted 2 additional seats, giving the party majority status in the chamber.

## Summary of Results

* Districts not shown are not up for election until 2020.

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st | Jerry Sonnenberg | Rep | Jerry Sonnenberg | Rep |
| 2nd | Kevin Grantham | Rep | Dennis Hisey | Rep |
| 3rd | Leroy Garcia | Dem | Leroy Garcia | Dem |
| 5th | Kerry Donovan | Dem | Kerry Donovan | Dem |
| 6th | Don Coram | Rep | Don Coram | Rep |
| 7th | Ray Scott | Rep | Ray Scott | Rep |
| 9th | Kent Lambert | Rep | Paul Lundeen | Rep |
| 11th | Michael Merrifield | Dem | Pete Lee | Dem |
| 13th | John Cooke | Rep | John Cooke | Rep |
| 15th | Kevin Lundberg | Rep | Rob Woodward | Rep |
| 16th | Tim Neville | Rep | Tammy Story | Dem |
| 20th | Cheri Jahn | Ind | Jessie Danielson | Dem |
| 22nd | Andy Kerr | Dem | Brittany Pettersen | Dem |
| 24th | Beth Martinez Humenik | Rep | Faith Winter | Dem |
| 30th | Chris Holbert | Rep | Chris Holbert | Rep |
| 32nd | Irene Aguilar | Dem | Robert Rodriguez | Dem |
| 34th | Lucía Guzmán | Dem | Julie Gonzales | Dem |

Source:

## Incumbents not seeking re-election

### Term-limited incumbents

Seven incumbent Senators (three Democrats, three Republicans and one Independent) are term-limited and unable to seek a third term.

* Kevin Grantham (R), District 2
* Kent Lambert (R), District 9
* Kevin Lundberg (R), District 15
* Cheri Jahn (I), District 20
* Andy Kerr (D), District 22
* Irene Aguilar (D) District 32
* Lucia Guzman (D), District 34

### Retiring incumbents

One incumbent Democrat is not seeking re-election despite being able to do so.

* Michael Merrifield (D), District 11

## Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

* District 15, 6.18%
* District 6, 9.38%

## Detailed Results

Sources:

### District 1

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Debra Gustafson | 5,523 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,523 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) | 23,879 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,879 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 1st District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Jerry Sonnenberg (incumbent) | 52,311 | 79.01 |
| | Democratic | Debra Gustafson | 13,894 | 20.99 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,205 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 2

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Beth "Hart" Harz | 6,813 | 74.09 |
| | Democratic | Dennis Obduskey | 2,383 | 25.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,196 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Dennis Hisey | 12,818 | 57.95 |
| | Republican | Stephanie Luck | 9,302 | 42.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,120 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 2nd District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Dennis Hisey | 42,531 | 65.32 |
| | Democratic | Beth "Hart" Harz | 22,583 | 34.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,114 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) | 15,423 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,423 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 3rd District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Leroy M. Garcia (incumbent) | 39,768 | 73.62 |
| | Libertarian | John Pickerill | 14,253 | 26.38 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 54,021 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 5

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Kerry Donovan (incumbent) | 13,707 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,707 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Olen Lund | 9,796 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,796 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 5th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Kerry Donovan (incumbent) | 41,838 | 60.45 |
| | Republican | Olen Lund | 27,375 | 39.55 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,213 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 6

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Don Coram (incumbent) | 14,893 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,893 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Guinn Unger, Jr. | 11,392 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,392 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 6th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Don Coram (incumbent) | 40,088 | 54.69 |
| | Democratic | Guinn Unger, Jr. | 33,208 | 45.31 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,296 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Chris Kennedy | 8,996 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,996 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Ray Scott (incumbent) | 14,361 | 64.07 |
| | Republican | Dan Thurlow | 8,054 | 35.93 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,415 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 7th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Ray Scott (incumbent) | 42,327 | 63.62 |
| | Democratic | Chris Kennedy | 24,205 | 36.38 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,532 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 9

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Gil Armendariz | 9,751 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,751 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Paul Lundeen | 26,206 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,206 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 9th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Paul Lundeen | 61,341 | 70.32 |
| | Democratic | Gil Armendariz | 25,892 | 29.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 87,233 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 11

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Pete Lee | 10,499 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,499 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Pat McIntire | 7,580 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,580 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 11th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Pete Lee | 28,015 | 61.96 |
| | Republican | Pat McIntire | 17,200 | 38.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,215 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 13

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John Cooke (incumbent) | 10,763 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,763 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Phil Kelley | 7,667 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,667 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 13th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John Cooke (incumbent) | 33,026 | 58.71 |
| | Democratic | Phil Kelley | 21,453 | 38.14 |
| | Libertarian | Eric E. Joss | 1,776 | 3.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,255 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 15

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Cranston | 14,699 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,699 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Rob Woodward | 16,023 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,023 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 15th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Rob Woodward | 44,434 | 53.09 |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Cranston | 39,256 | 46.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,690 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 16

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Tim Neville (incumbent) | 12,996 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,996 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Tammy Story | 18,424 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,424 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 16th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Tammy Story | 47,403 | 55.67 |
| | Republican | Tim Neville (incumbent) | 35,154 | 41.28 |
| | Libertarian | James Gilman | 2,597 | 3.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 85,154 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 20

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Jessie Danielson | 19,778 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,778 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Christine Jensen | 13,821 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,821 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 20th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Jessie Danielson | 49,974 | 54.13 |
| | Republican | Christine Jensen | 39,102 | 42.36 |
| | Libertarian | Charles Messick | 3,239 | 3.51 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 92,315 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Independent | Democratic gain from Independent | Democratic gain from Independent | Democratic gain from Independent |

### District 22

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Brittany Pettersen | 16,066 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,066 | 100.0 |

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Tony Sanchez | 11,440 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,440 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 22nd District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Brittany Pettersen | 42,747 | 58.16 |
| | Republican | Tony Sanchez | 30,754 | 41.84 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,501 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 24

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent) | 9,401 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,401 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Faith Winter | 14,313 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,313 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 24th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Faith Winter | 35,578 | 52.32 |
| | Republican | Beth Martinez Humenik (incumbent) | 27,068 | 39.80 |
| | Independent | Adam Matkowsky | 3,328 | 4.89 |
| | Libertarian | Donald Osborn | 2,033 | 2.99 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 68,007 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 30

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Chris Holbert (incumbent) | 15,342 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,342 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Julia Varnell-Sarjeant | 12,031 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,031 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 30th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Chris Holbert (incumbent) | 43,948 | 52.78 |
| | Democratic | Julia Varnell-Sarjeant | 34,604 | 41.56 |
| | Independent | Steve Peterson | 4,710 | 5.66 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,262 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 32

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Mark Calonder | 5,561 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,561 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Robert Rodriguez | 10,636 | 39.82 |
| | Democratic | Zach Neumann | 8,616 | 32.26 |
| | Democratic | Hazel Gibson | 7,458 | 27.92 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,710 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 32nd District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Robert Rodriguez | 53,307 | 71.99 |
| | Republican | Mark Calonder | 17,294 | 23.36 |
| | Independent | Peter Lucas Smith | 3,446 | 4.65 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 74,047 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 34

Republican Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Gordon Alley | 2,777 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,777 | 100.0 |

Democratic Primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Julie Gonzales | 14,798 | 63.80 |
| | Democratic | Milo Schwab | 4,574 | 19.72 |
| | Democratic | Alan Kennedy-Shaffer | 3,821 | 16.47 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,193 | 100.0 |

2018 Colorado Senate election, 34th District :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Julie Gonzales | 54,312 | 83.13 |
| | Republican | Gordon Alley | 11,018 | 16.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,330 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
