State Sen. Kevin Priola switched sides, to the delight of some and the hatred of others. On Aug. 22, Colorado State Sen. Kevin Priola announced he would be leaving the Republican Party to register for the Democratic Party, marking a rare and awkward shift in the Colorado State Senate. 

Sen. Priola serves the 25th District in the Colorado State Senate representing a majority of Adams County and many of Denver’s suburbs, including Brighton, Thornton and northern Aurora. 

Kevin Priola has an extensive history in Colorado politics, serving as state representative for the 30th District from 2008 until 2012, and state representative for the 56th District from 2012 until 2016. Priola was then elected to the Colorado State Senate in 2016, securing re-election in 2020. During all of these elections, he ran as a Republican. 

In the 2016 and 2020 elections, Priola won with 52.07% and 50.8% of the vote respectively, according to the Adams County Election Department. 

Priola announced his change of parties on Aug. 22 due to the actions of the Republican Party over the past few years.

“I cannot continue to be a part of a political party that is okay with a violent attempt to overturn a free and fair election,” Priola stated in a public letter.

His change of political parties has sparked intense controversy among groups, citizens, and politicians alike. 

The Senate Democratic Caucus expressed a welcome to Senator Priola after his announcement of the switch.

“Senator Priola has been a tremendously valuable partner of ours almost every step of the way,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Democratic Senator for Colorado’s 18th District. “I welcome Senator Priola’s presence in our caucus and value his partnership in continuing to do good work for the people of Colorado.”

The Senate Republican Caucus differs from the Democrats’ response, expressing disregard for the senator.

“Perhaps we should not be surprised by Sen. Priola’s announcement today that he is now a Democrat,” said Senate Minority Leader John Cooke, a Republican Senator for Colorado’s 13th District. “As for Sen. Priola, his new district will likely not be happy with this announcement and may explore their options for new representation.”

Turmoil has erupted following Priola’s party change. Republicans within Colorado are calling for a recall election of Sen. Priola due to his party change. For a recall to be initiated, 18,000 signatures must be collected by Nov. 8 and approved by the Colorado Department of State. In order to fight this recall, Sen. Priola has filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold over the approval of the petition for a recall election. 

Priola, if recalled, will face an election in a new district due to redistricting. Redistricting was adopted following the 2020 Census in order to ensure equal representation based upon Colorado’s population. With redistricting, the Senator will now represent the 13th District, only serving Brighton in Adams County, with the addition of territory along the US Highway 85 corridor through Weld County. This includes Fort Lupton, Platteville, and parts of Greeley. The newly constructed district contains a more substantial conservative electorate than Sen. Priola has previously experienced. 

Sen. Priola is not up for re-election in the Colorado State Senate this November. However, if a recall election is approved via a petition, it will occur sometime next year. Due to term-limits in the state of Colorado, Sen. Priola is unable to run for re-election after his current term ends in 2025.