{"id":2460,"date":"2026-07-09T23:33:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T23:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=2460"},"modified":"2026-07-09T23:33:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T23:33:44","slug":"victor-marx-wins-gop-primary-for-colorado-governor-defeating-veteran-lawmaker-after-unorthodox-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=2460","title":{"rendered":"Victor Marx wins GOP primary for Colorado governor, defeating veteran lawmaker after unorthodox campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Victor Marx, a first-time candidate and nonprofit leader with a controversial personal history that\u2019s drawn intense scrutiny, has edged out his more establishment opponent and will be Colorado Republicans\u2019 gubernatorial nominee in November.<\/p>\n

Read more Mexico investigates possible FBI role in drug lord\u2019s arrest as its president questions Ken Salazar\u2019s past comments<\/a><\/p>\n

The Associated Press called the race for Marx late Thursday afternoon, nearly nine days after polls closed. He led the runner-up, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, 39.9% to 39.4%, with 99% of ballots counted, according to the AP.<\/p>\n

Marx had taken his first narrow lead over Kirkmeyer the day after the June 30 primary, and though the race remained close, he never lost the advantage. While outstanding deficient and overseas ballots helped delay a final call on the race, those votes only served to expand Marx\u2019s margin. He led by 2,515 votes Thursday afternoon, with about 522,000 ballots cast.<\/p>\n

State Rep. Scott Bottoms was a distant third, with 20.8% of the vote.<\/p>\n

A veteran lawmaker and former Weld County commissioner, Kirkmeyer had jumped to an early advantage on the strength of early ballot returns. But as votes returned on Election Day began to filter in, her lead thinned and collapsed. Within 48 hours of polls closing, and with few ballots left to count in Kirkmeyer\u2019s Front Range strongholds, her path to retake the lead had all but vanished.<\/p>\n

Marx will next face Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser in November. No Republican has been elected to the governor\u2019s office in more than 20 years, and four months out, Weiser appears to be heavily favored to continue Democrats\u2019 electoral dominance.<\/p>\n

The Marx campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an email to supporters after the race was called, Marx said he was humbled to be the nominee and that the victory was \u201cthe starting line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy team and I have put together this special message that I want every Coloradan to hear \u2014 Republicans, independents, unaffiliated voters, and Democrats who are open to a better way,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause what we\u2019re building now is bigger than a primary victory.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In a video, he appealed to Coloradans who are frustrated with the status quo and don\u2019t think things can change \u2014 citing his victory as proof they can.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Phil Weiser, he\u2019s a smart fella \u2014 but he represents the current system, because he is part of it,\u201d Marx said. \u201cAnd that current system has made Colorado more expensive, less safe and harder for regular families to trust government.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kirkmeyer campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n

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Map: Where did the votes come from in the Colorado primary races for governor?<\/p>\n

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