Hickenlooper holds Senate seat after defeating progressive challenger

State of play: Hickenlooper, 74, won without engaging his opponent. He refused to debate Gonzales and skipped multiple campaign forums she attended.

• His well-known brand, after serving as Denver mayor, Colorado governor and U.S. senator, helped carry him across the finish line.
• Gonzales dominated the Democratic assembly that Hickenlooper skipped, winning 74% of delegates. But she lacked the money and campaign infrastructure to turn activist support into statewide traction.

By the numbers: Hickenlooper led Gonzales 57.3% to 42.7% when the AP called the race at 7:36pm.

Between the lines: The race exposed real divides inside the party. Hickenlooper backed a public option, while Gonzales supported Medicare for All; Gonzales also pushed further left on issues such as fracking and the Senate filibuster.

What's next: Hickenlooper has vowed this is his final term in office. He now turns to the November general election against state Sen. Mark Baisley, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.