Politics

Bush Cousin To Face House Democrat In Battle For Colorado Governor

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Thomas Phippen Acting Editor-In-Chief
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Walker Stapleton, a Republican relative of the Bush political dynasty, and Democratic Rep. Jared Polis won their respective primary races for Colorado governor Tuesday.

Polis, a fifth-term congressman, beat three primary challengers with 44 percent of the vote, the Associated Press reported. Stapleton, the Colorado state treasurer, also faced three challengers and emerged victorious with nearly 50 percent of the votes, according to Politico.

Stapleton already began looking past the primary to criticize Polis’s $12-million donation to his own campaign. With a net worth of around $72 million, Polis is one of the richest members of Congress.

If he is successful in November, Polis would be the first openly gay person to win a gubernatorial election in the U.S.

Stapleton wants to change the direction of Colorado’s previous two governors, and particularly that of the current Gov. John Hickenlooper. (RELATED: Colorado Is Trying To Be Like California On Regulating CO2 Emissions)

Stapleton tied himself to Trump in television ads and campaign materials.

“I think it’s actually helpful for the governor to work with the president,” Stapleton said during the final candidate debate June 19.

“I was the only [state] treasurer in the country with the courage to support Donald Trump’s tax cuts, and as your next governor, I’ll end these dangerous sanctuary city policies. I’ll take the fight to the liberals and beat ’em again,” Stapleton said in a campaign ad.

The gamble of tying himself to Trump has so far paid off, but Colorado supported Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race.

Former President George W. Bush headlined a fundraiser in Colorado for Stapleton, his second cousin, in February.

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