Political newcomer Victor Marx projected to win Republican primary for Colorado governor

Victor Marx, a newcomer to politics, is projected to win the Republican primary for governor in Colorado.

The El Paso County resident opted against participating in most of the GOP debates during the primary election cycle. He began his campaign with no statewide name recognition but raised more money than his two Republican opponents combined.

He is a Marine veteran who is the founder of the nonprofit humanitarian ministry All Things Possible, which is based in Colorado Springs.

Marx won 39.9% of the vote and is projected to defeat state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Scott Bottoms.  

In a message on Facebook, Marx thanked his supporters, stating:

"THANK YOU, COLORADO. Because of you, your time, your door knocking, your phone calls, and your belief in something bigger than politics, we just won the Republican nomination for Governor.

This victory belongs to every volunteer and supporter who refused to give up on our state. I am grateful beyond words.

Now the real work begins.

Colorado families are facing real challenges. High costs. Unaffordable housing and healthcare. Fears about unsafe neighborhoods and schools.

Let's face it, Colorado has changed, and not for the better.

But there is hope. We can unite and build a better, stronger Colorado for all of us.

This isn't about a single political party. It's about a single, unified Colorado!

The general election starts now. Let's go win it together."

Kirkmeyer shared a statement on Thursday conceding her loss and thanking her supporters:

I'm incredibly proud of the campaign we built and the race we ran.

Thank you to every volunteer, supporter, and member of our team who gave their time, energy, and heart to this effort. None of this would have been possible without you.

Together, we offered a clear vision for the future of the Colorado Republican Party, one rooted in common sense, hard work, affordability, and the values that made Colorado the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

While we came up short in what appears to be the closest Republican gubernatorial primary in Colorado history, I'm grateful for every voter who placed their trust in us. 

Now the voters will make the final decision in November, and I hope they choose the path that is best for Colorado.

I'm still proud of the campaign we ran… and, for the record, I still haven't killed anyone.

Thank you, Colorado. It has been the honor of a lifetime.

Marx faces an uphill climb in his bid to be the first Republican governor in Colorado in 20 years. He now moves on to the general election to face Phil Weiser, who is projected to win the Democratic primary for governor. Greg Lopez will also be on the ballot as an independent.

One of the debates Marx didn't participate in was the one hosted by CBS Colorado in early June. Bottoms, a state representative from El Paso County and lead pastor for Church at Briargate, and Kirkmeyer, a state senator who represents Larimer and Weld Counties, both took part.

Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, is term-limited.

In January, former Congressman Greg Lopez left the Republican Party to run for governor as an unaffiliated candidate.

In a statement following Marx's projected win on Thursday, Weiser said:

"From the little we know about Victor Marx, his views and style are far out of step with Coloradans, and his nomination for governor is a threat to our state's values and our future. 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.

As governor, I'll meet this moment by fighting against lawlessness and corruption and for a brighter future for all Coloradans."

Election Day is Nov. 3.