9,700+ signatures. State Assembly support. Only candidate to qualify both ways.

BOULDER, COLO. — Tues., April 14, 2026 — Michael Dougherty isn't just running for Attorney General – he's already outworking the field. With over 9,700 Colorado Democrats signing his petition and strong delegate support at the State Assembly, Dougherty has done what no other candidate in any statewide race has: secured his spot on the 2026 Democratic primary ballot through both pathways – signatures AND the Assembly.

That's not an accident. That's a plan.

“We didn’t guess whether we’d make the ballot – we knew,” said Dougherty. “We built a campaign the right way: talking to voters, earning support, and doing the work in every corner of this state. That’s exactly how I’ll serve as Attorney General.”

While other campaigns in this race and across every statewide contest chose one path to the ballot, Dougherty's team took both. They organized volunteers statewide to gather signatures, partnered with a Colorado-based signature firm, and built genuine grassroots support from day one. The State Assembly only confirmed what the signature numbers already showed: this campaign has real momentum, in every part of the state.

"I nominated Michael at the State Assembly because I know firsthand what it takes to be an effective prosecutor — and Michael has it. The energy in that room was incredible. Democrats from across Colorado showed up ready to fight, and Michael is exactly the kind of proven prosecutor for justice our party and our state needs and deserves right now," said Heidi McCollum, District Attorney for Colorado’s 5th Judicial District.

The voters who signed on knew it, too.

"I travelled all around the state with Michael and talked to volunteers who helped us gather signatures — and the energy was real everywhere we went. People were excited to sign because Michael showed up, listened, and made it clear he's ready to do the job. Michael is the prosecutor for justice that Colorado needs right now. This wasn't just about getting on the ballot – it was about building something real across Colorado," said Sam von Mettenheim, Dougherty Campaign Senior Advisor & Coordinator.

About Michael Dougherty

Michael Dougherty currently serves as Boulder County District Attorney. A career prosecutor with nearly 30 years of experience, Dougherty has handled thousands of cases, including homicides, sexual assaults, and complex fraud. He previously served as Colorado’s Deputy Attorney General and led the Sex Crimes Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Throughout his career, Dougherty has focused on protecting communities, standing up for victims, and ensuring justice is applied fairly. He is focused on public safety, defending constitutional rights, and delivering real results for Colorado families.

For more information, visit www.michaelforag.com. Follow him on social media:
Facebook: @MichaelDoughertyCO, Twitter/X: @MDoughertyCO, Instagram: @michaelforcolorado, and TikTok: @michaelforcolorado.

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