Victor Marx emerged as the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado on Thursday, clinching a narrow victory that will pit him against Democratic nominee Phil Weiser in November.
Close primary ends after prolonged count
Marx’s win was certified after more than a week of counting and shifting returns. As of late Thursday afternoon, Marx led by 2,516 votes; the Associated Press called the race for Marx at 4:08 p.m. Mountain Time, according to reporting. The result concluded the closest Republican gubernatorial primary in Colorado history.
Marx, a political newcomer, acknowledged supporters on social media and urged volunteers to move quickly into the general election phase.
“Now the real work begins,” Marx wrote, thanking his volunteers and supporters.
Who Marx is and what the contest means
Marx is a Marine veteran and founder of a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit. During the primary he ran a campaign that drew attention for both its fundraising and its limited debate participation. That profile — a self-styled outsider who successfully out-raised his Republican rivals — helped him overtake state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, who led on election night before later returns shifted the margin.
- Margin: Marx defeated Kirkmeyer by 2,516 votes.
- Projection: Associated Press called the contest for Marx late Thursday afternoon.
- Next matchup: Marx will face incumbent Democrat Phil Weiser in November.
Implications for November
The general election presents a steep climb for the Republican nominee. Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since 1998, and Democrats hold significant advantages in statewide offices in recent cycles. Weiser framed the choice for voters in stark terms, criticizing Marx’s approach to politics and promising a different style of governance.
“Governing is serious business, and Coloradans have a clear choice in this race: a politics of showing up, listening, and fighting for the rights and freedoms of all – or a politics of deception, demonization, and distraction,” Weiser said in a statement.
Kirkmeyer conceded and thanked her campaign team and volunteers after the final tallies were reported. Representative Scott Bottoms finished third in the primary.
| Candidate | Result |
|---|---|
| Victor Marx (Republican) | Winner — lead of 2,516 votes (projected) |
| Barb Kirkmeyer (Republican) | Conceded — finished narrowly behind Marx |
| Scott Bottoms (Republican) | Third place |
The nomination sets up a high-profile November contest in a politically mixed state. For both parties, the campaign will test messaging on cost of living, public safety, housing and other pocketbook issues that featured in the primary. The outcome will also be watched as an indicator of Republican strength in competitive, suburban-leaning states ahead of the next federal elections.
With the primary settled, both campaigns are expected to shift rapidly into general-election mode as they prepare outreach, fundraising and advertising for a race that could influence broader national political calculations.
