The Democratic plan to win 2-to-1 supermajorities in the state legislature will run through 13 House and Senate seats, the national party’s campaign arm announced Wednesday.
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The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is eying eight Colorado House seats and five Senate seats that the Democrats must either defend or flip on the path to a supermajority in either chamber — and relegate Republicans to super-minority status. The DLCC is a national political committee that aims to help Democrats win state legislative races, including by spending in support of their campaigns.
Democrats currently occupy 43 of 65 seats in the Colorado House of Representatives and 23 of 35 seats in the Senate — one seat shy in each chamber of a supermajority. In addition to the raw strength-in-numbers power that such a ratio would give Democrats on floor votes and in committees’ makeup, a supermajority would also allow the party to refer state constitutional amendments to voters with only a party-line vote.
A supermajority also lets Democrats override vetoes from the next governor on solely a party-line vote, though that power is easier talked about than accomplished — given certain deadlines in the legislative process and wider political considerations.
Democrats held a supermajority in the House in 2022 and 2023, the only time either party has had that status in either chamber since at least 1992, according to Ballotpedia. Democrats’ current majority in the Senate, while short of a supermajority, is the widest margin held by either party in at least that time frame.
In the House, the DLCC is looking to flip these districts: 16, represented by Colorado Springs Rep. Rebecca Keltie; 19, represented by Frederick Rep. Dan Woog; 50, represented by Fort Lupton Rep. Ryan Gonzalez; and 51, represented by Loveland Rep. Ron Weinberg. Keltie and Weinberg are not seeking reelection.
In the Senate, the Democrats hope to flip District 30, now represented by Highlands Ranch Sen. John Carson.
The DLCC is also planning to play defense in these House districts: 25, represented by Conifer Rep. Tammy Story; 43, represented by Highlands Ranch Rep. Bob Marshall; 46, represented by Pueblo Rep. Trish Mauro; and 59, represented by Durango Rep. Katie Stewart.
And it wants to protect Democratic-held seats in these Senate districts: 3, represented by Pueblo Sen. Nick Hinrichsen; 11, represented by Colorado Springs Sen. Tony Exum; 15, represented by Loveland Sen. Janice Marchman; and 27, represented by Centennial Sen. Tom Sullivan. Hinrichsen is not seeking reelection.
Support from the DLCC will include data, research, polling, paid communication and direct voter outreach, according to a news release.
The general election is Nov. 3.
In a statement, DLCC President Heath Williams cited Democrats’ legislative accomplishments since they regained complete control of state government in 2018, including on abortion rights, gun restrictions, and the costs of healthcare and housing — though Republicans have argued Democrats failed to rein in the latter. He said they would pursue more policies to help Coloradans.
“We are prepared to capitalize on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand Democratic power across the map and get this group of strong candidates across the finish line in November,” Williams said.
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