Christine Scanlan

State Rep. Christine Scanlan (D-Dillon) survived a strong challenge from Republican Ali Hasan in state House District 56, winning the district by 9 points Tuesday night.

"Honestly, it's kind of hard to believe at the moment - it's all kind of just sinking in," Scanlan told PolitickerCO.com following her win. "It's an incredible experience and kind of a crazy race, and I'm glad I'm where I'm at."

Hasan told the Summit Daily News that he doesn't plan another run for political office and will instead continue working on a screenplay about the late Pakistani political leader Benazir Bhutto, as well as spend more time with his dog and family.

In a year that looks pretty good for Democrats, Republicans will be hard-pressed to make a big dent in the Democrats' 15-seat majority in the state House of Representatives.

But that doesn't mean all is lost for the GOP. House District 40 looks virtually certain to return to the Republicans, one year after state Rep. Debbie Stafford turned rogue and delivered it into Democrats' hands.

There also appear to be a number of close races shaping up, the most interesting of these being House Districts 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 37, and 56.

Other potentially interesting races include House Districts 17, 33, 39, 52, 55 and 57.

If Ali Hasan defeats incumbent state Rep. Christine Scanlan (D-Dillon) next month in state House District 56, it won't be for a lack of money or work on his part.

Hasan, an independent filmmaker and son of multi-millionaire Republican fundraiser Malik Hasan, has dropped more than $258,000 of his own money on the race as of Sept. 24, and according to his campaign has knocked on more than 20,000 doors in the rural mountain district that has about 47,000 registered voters.

Scanlan and other House Democrats say they're confident the district will stay in Democratic hands, though Scanlan said like in any race, she's concerned about victory.  

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike May (R-Parker) said Republicans are aiming to pick up one to four seats in the lower chamber this November.

Speaking with PolitickerCO.com on Tuesday, May said Republicans are looking at unseating five Democratic incumbents on Nov. 4: Bernie Buescher, Sara Gagliardi, Wes McKinley, Judy Solano and Christine Scanlan.