Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D-CO) announced Wednesday that Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper (D-CO) will be his running mate for lieutenant governor [1].
The selection aims to balance Weiser's statewide legal experience with Dahlkemper's local government record to broaden the ticket's appeal in the 2026 governor's race [2].
Weiser made the announcement on July 22, 2026 [1], at the Democratic Party headquarters in Denver [3]. The pairing is designed to leverage Dahlkemper's specific achievements at the county level, particularly her work regarding the distribution of opioid settlements, and her efforts toward TABOR reform [2].
By selecting a county commissioner, Weiser seeks to demonstrate a commitment to local governance and fiscal policy. This strategic move connects the gubernatorial campaign to the immediate needs of Colorado's counties, a critical component for securing a statewide victory.
"I'm proud of my work finding common ground and workable solutions that deliver for Coloradans as a county commissioner, and I'm ready to take on this work with Phil as lieutenant governor," Dahlkemper said [4].
Weiser has spent his tenure as Attorney General handling high-profile legal battles and statewide administration. Adding Dahlkemper to the ticket provides a bridge to municipal leaders and voters focused on the direct implementation of state funds at the local level.
The campaign now shifts its focus toward consolidating Democratic support and outlining a joint platform that merges Weiser's legal framework with Dahlkemper's administrative experience in Jefferson County.
“Phil Weiser announced Lesley Dahlkemper as his running mate for lieutenant governor.”
The selection of a county commissioner as a running mate suggests a strategic effort to appeal to local government officials and suburban voters. By highlighting Dahlkemper's experience with opioid settlements and TABOR reform, the Weiser campaign is signaling a focus on fiscal management and public health implementation, attempting to move beyond a purely legalistic image toward one of practical, local governance.
