Victor Marx Wins Colorado Republican Nomination

Victor Marx, a Marine Corps veteran and nonprofit leader, won the Republican nomination for Colorado governor on Thursday, July 9, after a tight primary race that remained undecided for more than a week. He will face Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser in the November 3 general election.

The Associated Press called the race for Marx at approximately 4 p.m. on Thursday, nine days after the June 30 primary. Marx defeated his closest rival, state Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, by a margin of just over 2,500 votes, or about half a percentage point. State Representative Scott Bottoms finished a distant third. The margin is just outside the threshold that would trigger an automatic recount under state law.

Kirkmeyer had held a narrow lead on election night, but Marx overtook her the following day as more ballots were counted and maintained a steady lead throughout the subsequent week of tabulation. In a statement, Kirkmeyer said she was proud of her campaign and noted the primary appeared to be the closest Republican gubernatorial contest in state history. She did not endorse Marx, stating instead that the voters would make the final decision in November.