BENNET Senate Race Set; Maes, Mcinnis Down to Wire to Face Hickenlooper

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dp Online» Jimenez denied in bid for victory No. 18 as Rockies fall to Mets 1-0. » denverpost.com/sports BUCK ’N’ BENNET Senate race set; Maes, McInnis down to wire to face Hickenlooper

GOP Senate primary winner Ken Buck greets supporters after being introduced by his Sen. Michael Bennet celebrates his victory in the Democratic Senate primary with daughter daughter Kaitlin, left, in Loveland on Tuesday night. Karl Gehring, The Denver Post Anne, 6, on his shoulders at Mile High Station on Tuesday. Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post

SENATE | REPUBLICANS GOVERNOR | REPUBLICANS SENATE | DEMOCRATS Buck prevails over Norton Political wounds may lead party Obama-backed incumbent beats in tense outsider-vs.-insider race to ask winner to step aside former House Speaker Romanoff

By Allison Sherry By Karen E. Crummy and Christopher N. Osher By Michael Booth The Denver Post The Denver Post The Denver Post

en Buck defeated Jane Norton in the GOP primary epublican Dan Maes — an unknown, underfi- .S. Sen. Michael Bennet fended off a fierce for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, setting up a general elec- nanced gubernatorial candidate who has never challenge from Andrew Romanoff on Tuesday, tion this fall that pits an establishment Democrat held public office — was edging out former Con- earning the chance to win his appointed seat in against a scrappy, Tea Party-backed opponent. gressman Scott McInnis for the GOP nomination November and extending the power of President Buck’s victory over Norton, who garnered early Tuesday, according to election results. Barack Obama’s brand at least a few more weeks. K support from the Republican establishment R Maes was ahead by slightly less than 1 percent- U Bennet led handily in early returns — 54 percent throughout the country and who outraised him age point, leading McInnis 50.4 percent to 49.5 per- to 46 percent — quickly overcoming a Romanoff by more than $2 million, was the result of his cent. lead in the former state House speaker’s home turf strength among the state’s grass roots. “We felt good coming in tonight,” Maes said at a of Denver. Romanoff called Bennet to concede “We, tonight, have just won the Republican gathering with supporters at Lodo’s Bar & Grill in and congratulate him before 8 p.m., less than an nomination for United States Senate,” Buck told a Denver. “The numbers are confirming what we hour after polls closed in the mostly mail election. large crowd gathered in Loveland. “Get a good thought. The numbers just need to stay there.” If Bennet wanted to back away from the White night’s sleep, because for the next 83 days we are If the results stay this close, the primary may House embrace now that he’s facing Republican going to unite the Republican Party.” drag through another week. Having two candi- Ken Buck, it would be hard to now: Obama called Norton conceded at about 9:20 p.m., as returns dates within the margin of half a percentage point Bennet with congratulations early in the victory showed her consistently trailing Buck by about 4 triggers an automatic recount in Colorado. A can- party. percentage points. didate may also request a recount if the margin is Bennet’s relatively easy win, with the strong The former lieutenant governor told the crowd larger, but has to pay for it. backing of the president’s lingering campaign ma- that while she and Buck traded spirited jabs An energetic McInnis, his family by his side, chinery, sets up a formidable November battle REPUBLICANS» 9A GOVERNOR» 8A DEMOCRATS» 9A

BUCK NORTON MAES McINNIS BENNET ROMANOFF 51.8% 48.1% 50.4% 49.5% 54.2% 45.7% 90 percent of precincts counted 91 percent of precincts counted 90 percent of precincts counted

Mike Littwin» For the GOP, the primaries 7th Congressional District» Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier, left, wins GOP nod. »10A were not supposed to be this way. »2A Online» Get updates and reactions to Tuesday’s primaries. »denverpost.com/politics

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