US primaries: 3 things to look out for in Colorado elections

Colorado is all set to go to the polls on Tuesday in preparation for the 2022 US midterm elections. The central-American state will see some key battles in the primary elections — some that can potentially disrupt the current balance in the US Congress.

Four other states will also hold primary elections on the same day, making it one of the most important buildups to the November general elections. New York, Utah, Illinois and Oklahoma also have elections on Tuesday.

Also Read: US primaries: Why New York will have a two-phase election

Here are three things to look out for in the Colorado elections:

Abortion rights take the spotlight

While Democratic Senator Michael Bennet will largely remain unchallenged, his Republican opponents will be locking horns with abortion rights as a key issue. GOP’s Joe O’Dea, a businessman, has spoken publicly about his support for abortion rights.

O’Dea’s top Republican rival on Tuesday will be Ron Hanks, a state Representative in Colorado. Hanks has previously said that he opposes abortion in all circumstances. He also reportedly attended the January 6 rally that preceded the insurrection at the United States Capitol.

Lauren Boebert’s clout

Lauren Boebert, a Republican, has made her presence felt in a single term. She emerged as one of the most controversial GOP lawmakers, sharing the pedestal with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and US Senator Ted Cruz.

Colorado’s congressional primaries will measure the staying power of Boebert in a sprawling western Colorado district that leans more Republican after redistricting. She’s up against state Sen. Don Coram, a hemp farmer and GOP moderate.

Also Read: New York governor Kathy Hochul’s past controversies stain 2022 primary run

Colorado’s possible right turn?

While Colorado has trended Democratic over the past decade, Tuesday’s top Republican primary contests will show whether far-right candidates are making progress in their quest to take on uncontested Democrats like Michael Bennet, governor Jared Polis and Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who has led the national fight against 2020 election deniers.

If history is any guide, midterm elections usually give back the control of US House and Senate to the party that is not in control of the White House, which in this case would be the GOP.