This week, Polis was interviewed by CBS. The only thing that caught my attention was the comment that Tina Peters had a harsh sentence and a clemency for her was under consideration. Since I am skeptical whenever a Democrat opens their mouth and speaks the truth, I wonder what brought that on. Could it be pressure from Trump? Is he eyeing his next move as a politician and wants to save some face and pretend he is moderate? I think it is a little bit of both. Rumor says he want to be the next president of the United States. The only problem is he will be out of office next near and will not be in the public eye. This leads me to believe that he is playing the moderate to score some political points. It also makes me want to believe that he is looking at being a Colorado Senator. Then gain some clout and step into the presidential race in 2028.
Two paths exist. The easy one: primary 73-year-old Senator John Hickenlooper, who Colorado Newsline called “supremely vulnerable” for voting with Trump more than any Democratic senator relative to home-state preferences. Progressive Julie Gonzales entered the race December 8, attacking Hickenlooper as a “bystander” who enables Trump. A three-way primary creates space for Polis to position as the moderate fighter—tougher than Hickenlooper, more electable than Gonzales.
The rocky path: cut a deal with Senator Michael Bennet, who announced his gubernatorial run April 11, for Senate appointment if Bennet wins. Cleaner than a primary fight—except Bennet faces Attorney General Phil Weiser, Polis’s right-hand man for seven years. The moment Polis backs Bennet, Weiser recognizes the betrayal. And Weiser knows where the bodies are buried.
Seven years as attorney general means Weiser possesses every uncomfortable detail from the Polis administration. The June 2025 ICE collaboration scandal where Polis allegedly ordered state officials to turn over immigrant children sponsor information in violation of state law—Weiser’s office gave legal advice but “conflicted out” and won’t defend Polis in the whistleblower lawsuit. The Rick Palacio ethics violation where Polis’s former chief of staff received an $85,000 no-bid consulting contract—the Independent Ethics Commission found violations in December 2024. The business conflicts where Republican Senator Jerry Sonnenberg demanded investigations into whether Polis profited from legislation he signed, including sports betting laws benefiting undisclosed investments.
Bennet needs Polis’s endorsement now—Weiser has raised more money. But the moment Polis backs Bennet, Weiser doesn’t wait until November to respond. He opens the files immediately. Seven years of procurement decisions, settlements, legal opinions, and investigations become political ammunition. Both Polis and Bennet suffer before the Governor primary even heats up.
The easy path avoids this entirely. Polis primaries Hickenlooper, Weiser stays focused on his own race, and no one has incentive to excavate Polis’s record. Gonzales splits the progressive vote. Hickenlooper defends his Trump votes and advanced age. Polis occupies the moderate fighter position.
The easy path avoids this entirely. Polis primaries Hickenlooper, Weiser stays focused on his own race, and no one has incentive to excavate Polis’s record. Gonzales splits the progressive vote. Hickenlooper defends his Trump votes and advanced age. Polis occupies the moderate fighter position.
Peters clemency serves both strategies but signals the easy path. Calling her sentence “harsh” after months of constitutional defense positions Polis as the reasonable moderate willing to show mercy even toward Trump’s allies. It neutralizes Trump attacks heading into a primary campaign. It demonstrates independence from Democratic orthodoxy. It provides cover for moderate Republicans to cross over and support Polis in the Democratic primary.
The timeline converges. Senate petition deadline: March 18. Democratic assembly: March 28. Clemency application deadline: April 1. Polis can grant Peters clemency before the primary campaign intensifies, positioning himself as the candidate who resisted Trump’s attacks but ultimately showed judicial temperament.
Watch for Polis’s Senate announcement in coming weeks. The “harsh sentence” comment wasn’t mercy—it was positioning. Hickenlooper should start worrying. Gonzales should recognize her role as the progressive vote-splitter that makes Polis’s moderate lane viable. And Weiser should be relieved his former partner is taking the easy path that doesn’t require destroying him.
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