Republicans have a slightly better chance of winning Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat this fall after construction company owner Joe O’Dea’s win over state Rep. Ron Hanks in this week’s primary, a national election analyst said Wednesday.

Roll Call CQ’s Nathan L. Gonzales moved the race one step from “Solid Democrat” to “Likely Democrat,” calling O’Dea a “credible challenger” to Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who is seeking a third full term.

Democrats spent millions of dollars on TV advertising and mailers in a failed attempt to steer GOP primary voters toward Hanks, under the assumption that the Cañon City Republican’s hardline conservative views and belief that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election would disqualify Hanks in the fall election.

Republicans have a slightly better chance of winning Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat this fall after construction company owner Joe O’Dea’s win over state Rep. Ron Hanks in this week’s primary, a national election analyst said Wednesday.

Roll Call CQ’s Nathan L. Gonzales moved the race one step from “Solid Democrat” to “Likely Democrat,” calling O’Dea a “credible challenger” to Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who is seeking a third full term.

Democrats spent millions of dollars on TV advertising and mailers in a failed attempt to steer GOP primary voters toward Hanks, under the assumption that the Cañon City Republican’s hardline conservative views and belief that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election would disqualify Hanks in the fall election.