Hickenlooper backs Weiser in Democratic primary for Colo. AG
In an extraordinary move, Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday endorsed Phil Weiser in the Democratic primary race for Colorado attorney general — wading into the contest, he says, in part because of Weiser’s commitment to running a campaign devoid of attacks.
“At our best, we Coloradans are creative, collaborative and inclusive,” Hickenlooper said in a written statement. “We don’t look for leaders who divide; we look for leaders who can bring us together. Phil Weiser is just this sort of leader.”
He added: “His values have shown through in the type of campaign he’s running — a positive, optimistic campaign about ideas aimed at building up all of Colorado. That’s the sort of leadership we need.”
Hickenlooper, a termlimited Democrat, has not endorsed any other major candidates in the 2018 Colorado primaries, including any of the four Democrats running to replace him. That makes his decision to come out in Weiser’s favor so unusual and noteworthy.
His decision could give Weiser, a former Obama administration official who served as dean of the University of Colorado Law School, a boost as he tries to eke out a victory June 26 against state Rep. Joe Salazar, DThornton.
Polls have shown that Salazar has a sizeable namerecognition advantage over Weiser, who is spending north of $500,000 on television ads before the primary election to get his name out.
Hickenlooper’s endorsement comes with robocalls and digital videos that include another Salazar from Colorado — former U.S. senator and Obama administration Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. (Ken Salazar, who was Colorado’s last Democratic attorney general, has also endorsed Weiser — and is not related to Joe Salazar.)
Joe Salazar has won backing from some big names in Democratic politics himself, namely U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the 2016 insurgent presidential candidate.
During the campaign, Salazar has tossed barbs at Weiser, criticizing his lack of tenure in Colorado politics and calling him a “paper tiger.” On Monday, he suggested Hickenlooper’s endorsement exemplifies the establishment’s attempt to fix the attorney general’s race.
“It’s pretty clear that Gov. Hickenlooper is very concerned that Phil Weiser is not going to win this primary race,” Salazar told The Post. “Thus, the lastminute endorsement.”
Hickenlooper noted in his statement endorsing Weiser that he was “the only candidate in the race who took and stuck to the Clean Campaign Pledge.”
The winner of the Democratic primary for state attorney general will face GOP George Brauchler, the 18th Judicial District’s attorney, in the Nov. 6 election. Current Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, a Republican, is leaving the post after making a failed bid for governor.