How Jeff Hurd endured the blue wave

Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd survived a close challenge from Democrat Dwayne Romero in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, becoming the state’s only Republican member of Congress after the 2026 election. Hurd said early returns made the race look uncertain, but he ultimately prevailed despite a Democratic wave that unseated Republicans in safer districts. The sprawling district covers much of western and southern Colorado.