Aurora-based defense attorney Michael Carter is leading Bryan Lindstrom in the Democratic Primary race for House District 36, according to the early, unofficial tally of ballots on Tuesday night.

Carter is leading Lindstrom, an Aurora Public School’s teacher, by 22 percentage points, 61.11% to 38.89%, with roughly 24% of registered Democratic voters  showing up to the polls, according to the initial vote count.

The winner of the GOP contest will face Eric Mulder, a member of the Colorado Forward Party, in November to represent House District 36. Outgoing Rep. Mike Weissman, who served a maximum four two-year terms, is running for the Colorado Senate District 28.

House District 36 encompasses eastern Aurora, Adams County, and parts of Arapahoe County down to Quincy and east out to Watkins.

Democrats dominate the district. As of the latest county, there are of 16,246 Democrats, 6,766 Republicans and 6,766 unaffiliated voters in the district.

The Democratic candidates, who are both from Aurora, are campaigning on similar issues, notably education.

Carter, a veteran, defense attorney and a husband to a public school teacher, said he is motivated to run “to support our teachers and students.”

Carter said his priorities are affordable living, tenant protection, fair land use laws, first-time home ownership programs, and creating substance abuse and veterans courts across the state. 

“I fight everyday to give people a fair shot,” Carter said during his campaign. “We spend more money incarcerating people than we do on our students. If we can reduce the rate of recidivism in this state we can save a lot of money that can be redirected into schools.”

Lindstrom, a Aurora Public Schools teacher, said he intends to prioritize education, affordable housing and worker protection rights in the district.

“This district is demanding a proven fighter for the working class and I have a track record and reputation for just that,” Lindstrom said during his campaign.

Lindstrom’s priority, he said, is to “address the skyrocketing cost of living by addressing housing affordability, fully funding our public schools, and strengthening our worker protections.”