Attorney General Phil Weiser picks Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper as running mate

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper will be his running mate in the 2026 governor’s race. Weiser, a two‑term AG and Dean Emeritus who founded the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado Law School, also clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Byron White and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Dahlkemper brings local government experience to the ticket. She has served two terms as a Jefferson County commissioner, previously worked as a broadcast journalist for Colorado Public Radio, and owned a small business. She also served on the Lakewood School District board and has family roots in Huerfano County.

The pair’s partnership may resonate in Aurora, a city that is home to a large Latino population and a growing number of immigrant families. Both candidates have spoken about ensuring Latino representation at the highest levels of state government.

What this means for residents: the ticket could influence policies on immigration enforcement, education, and economic development that directly affect Aurora neighborhoods.

What’s next: Voters will see the Weiser‑Dahlkemper ticket on the November 2026 ballot.