DENVER — Two Colorado Democratic legislators known for their pro-Palestinian activism lost their primary contests Tuesday in a rebuff to the party’s anti-Israel wing.
Democratic state Rep. Elisabeth Epps, who was formally reprimanded for joining a pro-Gaza protest in the House gallery, was soundly defeated by lawyer and Air Force veteran Sean Camacho by a margin of 63% to 37%.
The other Denver-based Democrat, state Rep. Tim Hernandez, lost his primary bid to Cecelia Espenoza, a retired federal immigration appellate judge, by 54-46%.
The defeats were linked to the legislators’ staunch pro-Palestinian activism and subsequent loss of support from the party leadership.
In a break with precedent, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis endorsed Mr. Camacho, who also won the backing of House and Senate leaders. Both Mr. Camacho and Ms. Espenoza were supported by the Stop Antisemitism Colorado Action Fund.
Meanwhile, Ms. Epps and Mr. Hernandez were backed by the Democratic Socialists of America as well as a host of labor unions, including the Colorado Education Association.
Those applauding the unseating of the left-wing legislators included Republican state Rep. Ryan Armagost.
“We might be able to bring some respect and decorum back to the institution of our legislature now that Epps and Hernandez were booted!!!” Mr. Armagost said on X.
Jeff Hunt, a conservative radio host on KNUS-AM in Denver, said: “Crazy antisemites in the Democrat Party are out. Don’t let the door hit on the backside, Epps and Hernandez.”
Their losses also drew comparisons to the primary defeat of Rep. Jamaal Bowman, New York Democrat, a pro-Palestinian lawmaker who lost to pro-Israel Democrat George Latimer.
Mr. Hernandez, a former high school teacher who was appointed last year to fill a legislative vacancy, participated in a Colorado Palestine Coalition “emergency protest” at the state capitol on Oct. 7, shortly after the Hamas massacre on Israeli civilians.
He was widely denounced for flippantly refusing to condemn the attack in an interview by a citizen journalist at the rally. Asked why he couldn’t condemn the murders of women and children, Mr. Hernandez replied, “What about it?”
A few days later, he issued an apology in which he condemned Hamas and “all violence against civilians.”
Mr. Hernandez was also criticized for posting a Palestinian flag on his statehouse desk, but his defenders countered that other lawmakers had placed Israeli flags on their desks.
Ms. Epps was reprimanded by House Speaker Julie McCluskie in January for joining a pro-Palestinian protest in the House gallery during the November special session and heckling other lawmakers, including Republican state Rep. Ron Weinberg, who is Jewish.
Ms. Epps disputed the reprimand for violating House decorum rules, saying on X that “Decorum is just one of your racist dog whistles for complacency + complicity,” according to Colorado Public Radio.
The winners of the two Democratic primaries are strongly favored to win the general election in the heavily Democratic legislative districts.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.