Colorado’s June 30 primary election has set the stage for several major November races, but the Republican contest for governor remains the biggest unresolved question from election night.
As of the latest available Associated Press results used for this article, Victor Marx was leading state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer in the Republican governor primary by just over 2,000 votes. Marx had 206,330 votes, or 39.8 percent. Kirkmeyer had 204,310 votes, or 39.4 percent. State Rep. Scott Bottoms was third with 107,411 votes, or 20.7 percent. The AP estimated that 97 percent of votes had been counted, with the results updated at 7:09 p.m. on July 2.
The narrow margin means the race is not fully settled, even though Marx had moved into the lead after Kirkmeyer led earlier in the count. Colorado Public Radio reported Thursday evening that Marx and Kirkmeyer were separated by 2,028 votes out of 518,051 cast in the race, with Marx at 39.82 percent, Kirkmeyer at 39.43 percent and Bottoms at 20.73 percent.
The question now is not only who finishes first, but whether the final margin will be close enough to trigger an automatic recount. Under Colorado law, an automatic recount is required when the difference between the top two candidates is no more than one-half of one percent of the leading candidate’s vote total. Based on Marx’s 206,330-vote total in the AP update, that threshold would be about 1,032 votes. That means the race, at that point, was outside automatic recount territory, though the final margin could still change as remaining ballots are processed and voters with signature issues are given time to fix them. CPR also published an explainer on the recount question as the margin shifted during the post-election count.
The close contest is a major development for Colorado Republicans. Kirkmeyer entered the race as a well-known elected official with deep ties to Weld County and the state Legislature. She previously served as a Weld County commissioner and currently represents Senate District 23. Marx, a ministry leader and Marine Corps veteran, ran more as an outsider candidate and built support among grassroots conservative voters. Bottoms, a state representative from Colorado Springs, finished far behind the two leaders but still drew enough support to shape the outcome of the race.
The Republican winner will face Democratic nominee Phil Weiser in November. Weiser, Colorado’s attorney general, defeated U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor. Axios reported Weiser won 55 percent to 45 percent, an upset over a sitting U.S. senator with statewide name recognition.
The timing gives Weiser an early advantage in the general election campaign. While Republicans wait for the final outcome of their primary, Weiser can begin unifying Democratic voters and preparing for November. The extended count also keeps attention on the Republican contest, especially if the final margin narrows again.
The 8th Congressional District race is also now set for November. State Rep. Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary and will face Republican incumbent Gabe Evans. The district includes parts of Weld, Larimer and Adams counties and is expected to remain one of the most competitive congressional races in Colorado. AP reported Rutinel’s win as part of a broader night of progressive victories in Colorado Democratic primaries.
In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper won his primary and will face Republican Mark Baisley in November. The race gives Colorado voters a statewide Senate contest alongside an open governor’s race and several other statewide offices.
The attorney general race is also set. Democrat Jena Griswold, currently Colorado’s secretary of state, won the Democratic primary for attorney general. Republican Michael Allen, the district attorney for Colorado’s 4th Judicial District, won the Republican primary. The two will compete to replace Weiser, who is leaving the attorney general’s office to run for governor.
In the secretary of state race, Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez won the Democratic primary. The office oversees Colorado elections, business filings and other statewide administrative functions.
The results are still unofficial until the election process is completed. County clerks continue reviewing ballots, resolving signature issues and preparing final certified results. That process matters most in close races, especially the Republican governor primary, where the final vote margin will determine whether the race stays outside recount territory or moves back within it.
For voters, the primary did more than select party nominees. It clarified the choices that will appear on the November ballot: a governor’s race with one nominee already moving ahead and the other still waiting for final results, a competitive congressional race in the 8th District, and several statewide contests that will shape Colorado’s executive offices for the next four years.
The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Sources: Associated Press election results, Colorado Public Radio, The Colorado Sun, Axios Denver, Colorado Secretary of State election information.
