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Citizen engagement is crucial in sustaining America’s experiment in representative democracy, and voting in an election is not just any ritual. Encapsulated in that act is often the purest expression of a people’s ability to choose their leaders, exactly the kind of freedom denied to so many in other parts of the world.

As a public service, we compiled this primary voter guide for the 2022 elections. This guide focuses on contested primary races, whose outcome will ultimately decide the contours – and decisions – of our executive and legislative bodies. 

A few dates to remember:

June 6 – First day that mail-in ballots are sent to voters.

June 20 – Last day for an individual to submit a voter registration application and still get a ballot in the mail

June 28 – Primary election day. The polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

We hope that you find this guide informative and useful. If there are any errors, please don’t hesitate contact editors Luige del Puerto at luige.delpuerto@coloradopolitics.com and Pat Poblete at pat.poblete@coloradopolitics.com. 

U.S. SENATE

Two U.S. senators represent each state in Congress.

Democrats: 1,069,637 Republicans: 956,294 Unaffiliated: 1,682,574 Total active voters: 3,775,931

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Colorado’s senior U.S. senator, was appointed to the seat in 2009 when predecessor Ken Salazar joined President Barack Obama’s cabinet as secretary of interior. He’s unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Republicans Ron Hanks, a first-term state representative from Cañon City, and Joe O’Dea, the owner of a Denver-based construction company, are vying for the nomination in the Republican primary.

Bennet, a former school superintendent who ran for president in 2020, is seeking a third full term.

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Ron Hanks

• Party: Republican
• Phone number: 719-352-5264
• Email: Russco2022@gmail.com
• Website: www.hanksforcolorado.com
• Mailing address: PO Box 117, Penrose, CO 81240
• Twitter: @HanksUSSenate
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonHanksUSSenate
• Instagram: @ronhanks_ussenate

What are your top priorities if elected?

National Security (Border, Energy, Manufacturing, Education); inflation.

What experience has prepared you for office?

32 Years Military Service; one term in Colorado state legislature; energy experience – hydraulic fracturing in North Dakota

Joe O’Dea

• Party: Republican
• Email: info@joeodea.com
• Website: www.joeodea.com
• Mailing address: 4950 S. Yosemite Street, F2-225, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
• Twitter: @odeaforcolorado
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/odeaforcolorado
• Instagram: @odeaforcolorado
• Education: Attended Colorado State University

What are your top three priorities if elected? 

I’m going to Washington D.C. to fight for working Americans. My focus is on reducing our national debt by cutting wasteful spending, tackling inflation that is crushing Colorado families, and ensuring a strong and secure America – by supporting our police and military.

What experience has prepared you for office?  

I’ve spent the last thirty years running a business – one that employs over 300 Coloradans. Every day, I have to ensure my books are balanced, my paychecks will cash, and my deals are solid. I will take that same experience to Washington D.C. and fight to ensure that every Coloradan has the opportunity I have had to pursue, and achieve, the American Dream.

Editor’s note: Registration numbers came from the Secretary of State’s database as of May 1, 2022