Elliott Hood defeated challenger Charlie Johnson for the Democratic nomination for the open seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents on Tuesday night.

The at-large seat, which is currently held by Democrat Lesley Smith, is set to expire in early 2025.

Hood will move on to face Republican Eric Rinard in the November general election. The at-large seat is the only statewide race in the 2024 elections.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Hood said he is honored to earn the nomination and he looks forward to fighting to “create a more affordable, accessible, and sustainable CU system.”

“I could not have achieved this victory without the support of my amazing campaign staff and volunteers, our donors, and those who advocated for this campaign among their friends and family and in their communities. I’d also like to thank my opponent, Charles ‘CJ’ Johnson, for running a stellar, positive campaign,” he said. “CJ is a friend and a strong leader, and it was a privilege to run alongside him.” 

Hood told Colorado Politics he has dedicated his life to public education and has the experience to “hit the ground running as CU Regent.”

“I am a former public school teacher, a former education nonprofit director, and am an education attorney advocating for public school districts and educators across Colorado,” he said. “I also have served on and helped lead public and nonprofit boards, so I understand how to get things done on a policy governance board like the Regents.”

The University of Colorado Board of Regents, a body of nine members serving staggered six-year terms, is responsible for overseeing the university’s budget. The board also plays a crucial role in hiring the university’s president, finalizing sports coach contracts, and setting tuition fees for local campuses. The board consists of one elected member from each of Colorado’s eight congressional districts and one from the state at large.

While District 3 and District 5 on the Board of Regents have open seats this year, only the at-large seat had a contested Democratic primary between Hood and Johnson.