Phil Weiser Names Lesley Dahlkemper as Running Mate
The Colorado Attorney General selects the Jefferson County Commissioner for his 2026 gubernatorial ticket.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Elections
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Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has selected Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper as his lieutenant governor running mate for his 2026 gubernatorial bid. Dahlkemper accepted the nomination following a vetting process that began in June 2026.
Why it matters
The partnership highlights Weiser's focus on bridging state and local governance challenges by pairing a state official with an experienced county leader. Dahlkemper stated that her commitment to supporting local governments serves as a primary motivation for joining the ticket.
Dahlkemper brings experience from her three-year tenure on the board of Colorado Counties Inc. and extensive collaboration with Weiser on opioid settlement fund distribution spanning 18 months.
The players
Phil Weiser
The Attorney General of Colorado who is running for governor in the 2026 election.
Lesley Dahlkemper
A Jefferson County Commissioner who previously served on the board of Colorado Counties Inc. for three years.
Victor Marx
The Republican candidate currently challenging for the office of Colorado governor.
George Markert
The lieutenant governor running mate for Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx.
Lisa Cutter
A candidate currently running to fill the Jefferson County Commissioner seat vacated by Dahlkemper.
The details
After being contacted by a campaign advisor in June 2026, Dahlkemper participated in a vetting process consisting of half a dozen interviews before officially joining the campaign. Her departure from the commission has triggered a race to fill her seat, with candidates Lisa Cutter and Stephanie VandenBerg vying for the position.
Timeline
Phil Weiser announced his gubernatorial run in early 2026.
The campaign advisor contacted Dahlkemper in June 2026 regarding the nomination.
Political Context
The partnership between Weiser and Dahlkemper follows a pattern of inter-agency cooperation established during their 18-month collaboration on opioid settlement funds. Republican opponents, including Victor Marx and George Markert, represent the primary partisan resistance to this ticket.
This ticket selection sets the stage for the 2026 gubernatorial race and impacts the political representation of Jefferson County residents. Voters must now prepare to evaluate this pairing against the opposition ticket while considering the future of county governance.
The takeaway
Weiser and Dahlkemper are positioning their campaign as a bridge between state and local authority to address regional administrative challenges. Voters should monitor how the candidates prioritize local government needs as the election cycle progresses.
What happens next
Voters will decide the outcome of the Jefferson County Commissioner seat in an upcoming election to replace the departing incumbent.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming vote in the Colorado Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Canyon Courier.
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