Democrat Jared Polis wins Colorado governor's race

Democratic Rep. Jared PolisJared Schutz Polis Democrats eager to fill power vacuum after Pelosi exit Colorado trucker's case provides pathways to revive pardon power Biden addresses Coloradans after wildfires: 'Incredible courage and resolve' MORE will be the new governor of Colorado, after he defeated Republican Walker Stapleton on Tuesday.

The five-term congressman, who is the first openly gay man to win a gubernatorial race, pulled away from the Republican state treasurer in recent weeks, despite an onslaught of negative ads directed at him by outside groups. Polis gained the support of major environmental groups after making renewable energy and climate change major points in his campaign.

Stapleton was endorsed by President TrumpDonald Trump Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver dead at 77 Biden, Democrats losing ground with independent and suburban voters: poll Bipartisan Senate group discusses changes to election law MORE. Trump lost Colorado in the 2016 presidential election to Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Poll: Trump leads 2024 Republican field with DeSantis in distant second The politics of 'mind control' No Hillary — the 'Third Way' is the wrong way MORE by a 48-percent-to-43-percent margin.

Polis will replace Democrat John Hickenlooper, who was term-limited. Hickenlooper has long drawn speculation as a potential contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, and recently said he was “leaning strongly” towards running.