Hickenlooper holds on as Colorado governor

John Hickenlooper held onto his position as governor of Colorado, narrowly edging out Republican challenger Bob Beauprez.

The Associated Press and The Denver Post both called the race for Hickenlooper shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday, more than 12 hours after polls closed.

{mosads}But Secretary of State Scott Gessler warned the Post that the extremely tight race, in which Hickenlooper holds a lead of less than a percentage point, was likely to go to a recount before being certified.

The race to be Colorado’s top executive became closer than expected in the home stretch. Beauprez is a former House member for Colorado and unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2006.

It was considered nationally to be a referendum on recent liberal changes in the state like legalizing marijuana, allowing same-sex marriage and restricting gun use, the Post said.

Hickenlooper was at a disadvantage with a statewide and national wave toward Republican candidates. He was once a widely loved leader, but some of his decisions, including gun control measures following the 2012 shooting in Aurora, hurt his support in the state.

The governor also faced backlash within his party earlier this year amid Democratic infighting over measures to ban hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas.

Hickenlooper, along with Sen. Mark Udall (D) opposed a push by Rep. Jared Polis (D) to allow localities to put restrictions on fracking, leading to a public spat.