Voters in the western US state of Colorado will head to the polls on Tuesday, June 30, for a round of primary elections that could influence the direction of the upcoming midterms in November. Primaries determine which candidates will represent their respective parties in the general election.

The Colorado primaries include several high-profile races with national significance. The gubernatorial primary to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Jared Polis features two prominent Democrats: US Senator Michael Bennet and state Attorney General Phil Weiser. Bennet, a senator since 2009 and a former presidential candidate, represents the establishment wing, while Weiser positions himself as a progressive challenger, criticizing Bennet's corporate ties.

On the Republican side, three candidates are vying for the gubernatorial nomination: state Representative Scott Bottoms, state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, and pastor Victor Marx. Marx holds a fundraising advantage.

First-term Democratic US Senator John Hickenlooper faces a primary challenge from state Senator Julie Gonzales, a progressive who has criticized Hickenlooper's stance on Israel and Palestine. Recent polls show Hickenlooper's lead shrinking from 32 points in February to just 7 points in late May.

The Israel-Palestine issue has become a flashpoint within the Democratic Party, with progressives calling for an end to US arms sales to Israel. In Colorado, Gonzales has touted support from Track AIPAC, which monitors pro-Israel spending. Democratic US Representative Diana DeGette also faces a strong challenge from democratic socialist Melat Kiros, who is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders. Outside groups have poured about $3 million into that race, largely favoring DeGette.

Source: www.aljazeera.com