Michael Allen wins Colorado's GOP race for attorney general

Michael Allen wins Colorado's GOP race for attorney general

Michael Allen won the Republican nomination Tuesday in Colorado's race for attorney general, defeating fellow Republican David Willson, per the AP.

Why it matters: Allen advances to a November showdown with Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold. A win would make him Colorado's first Republican attorney general in nearly a decade.

Driving the news: Allen led Willson with 61% of the vote to 39% as of 7:56pm MT, when the AP called the race.

State of play: A career prosecutor and Navy veteran, Allen served as El Paso County district attorney, representing Colorado's 4th Judicial District, which includes El Paso and Teller counties.

  • He centered his campaign on his prosecutorial record, including overseeing the prosecution of the Club Q shooting case and emphasizing efforts to target fentanyl trafficking and violent crime.
  • Allen earned endorsements from law enforcement groups, including the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police and Colorado Springs Police Protective Association.

    • Between the lines: Allen largely ran as a traditional law-and-order conservative, arguing Colorado has gotten too soft on crime and pledging to challenge Democratic policies on public safety and immigration.

    What we're watching: Whether Allen broadens his message as he courts unaffiliated voters in a state Democrats have consistently won in recent statewide elections.

    The big picture: Whoever wins in November will lead one of Colorado's most powerful statewide offices, overseeing major civil litigation, criminal appeals and consumer protection while shaping the state's response to high-profile legal fights.