By Todd Engdahl, EDUCATION NEWS COLORADO

Democratic incumbent Angelika Schroeder was headed to victory for the State Board of Education Tuesday, as was incumbent University of Colorado regent Steve Bosley.

Republican newcomers were leading in two other SBE races, while in two other regent races a Democratic incumbent was ahead in one race while the Republican was leading in another.

Statewide, Democrat John Hickenlooper was elected governor, bringing into office with him Joe Garcia, president of CSU-Pueblo, as lieutenant governor. Education advocate Cary Kennedy lost her bid for re-election as state treasurer. And Democrat Michael Bennet, former Denver schools superintendent, was locked in a tight race for U.S. Senate with Republican Ken Buck.

In late-evening returns for legislative contests of interest to education, Rep. Debbie Benefield, D-Arvada, was in a tight race with Republican Robert Ramirez, but Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillion, beat Republican Debra Irvine.

In House District 47 in Pueblo and Fremont counties, Democrat Carole Partin was trailing construction company executive Keith Swerdfeger. Partin is past president of the Pueblo Education Association. A Swerdfeger win would be a gain for Republicans.

Another former teacher, Democrat Laura Huerta, was behind Republican Rep. Kevin Priola in Adams County’s District 30. Priola is a member of the House Education Committee. Incumbent Democratic representatives Sue Schafer, Judy Solano, Cherilyn Peniston and Nancy Todd were leading in their races in suburban Denver districts. All are members of the House Education Committee.

In Colorado Springs’ Senate District 11, Democratic Senate Majority Leader John Morse was clinging to a slim lead over Republican Owen Hill. Education groups of all stripes had backed Morse. (In an El Paso county commissioner race pitting two education figures against each other, outgoing Republican SBE member Peggy Littleton was leading Mike Merrifield, outgoing chair of the House Education Committee. But, candidate Pete Lee appeared on his way to holding Merrifield’s seat for the Democrats.)

In Senate District 6 in the Four Corners, Republican Rep. Ellen Roberts of Durango looked headed for a win over Democratic Sen. Bruce Whitehead of Hesperus. The Colorado Education Association supported Whitehead, while the reform group Stand for Children backed Roberts.

Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs and ranking Republican on the House Education Committee, appeared headed for reelection.

In Denver Senate districts, Democratic incumbents Pat Steadman, Lucia Guzman, Chris Romer and Michael Johnston were heading to easy victories in heavily Democratic districts. (See bottom of this story for current legislat