Two Democrats and Three Republicans Eye Their Party’s Nomination
Trevor Phipps
Even though the 2026 mid-term elections don’t occur until November, the race for who will secure the Republican and Democratic nominations has reached a boiling point.
Every television or radio station you tune into has gotten bombarded with mudslinging political advertisements for contests dominating the primary radar.
The main state fight highlighting the June 30 contest is the showdown for the next Colorado governor. That’s because this contest has emerged as a wide-open race, as current governor Jared Polis is term-limited and can’t seek the seat again.
But instead of the commercials portraying the typical Red vs. Blue battle, Republicans and Democrats have been fighting amongst themselves pretty vigorously.
The Democratic race between U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser has commanded most of the air waves. That could be due to statewide political trends that favor gubernatorial nominees from the Democratic side. Few Republican contenders have succeeded in capturing this seat in Colorado in recent years.
But that has not stopped the Republican primary battle for governor from getting downright intense.
Debates between the three leading Republican candidates, Scott Bottoms, Victor Marx and Barb Kirkmeyer, have sparked much tension, and gotten bizarre at times.
The Colorado Attorney General race has also been another one that has received plenty of attention on TV/radio stations as well as social media. The Republican race occurs between local District Attorney Michael Allen and David Willson. The larger Democrat battle is between Secretary of State Jenna Griswold, Michael Dougherty, Hetal Doshi and David Seligman.
The primary decision is less complex for those registered as a Republican or Democrat. Since those voters can only vote in their party primaries, they have less options.
However, for unaffiliated voters like me, the decision is a little tougher. According to current election rules, we must decide whether to fill out a Republican or Democrat ballot because you can’t complete both.
Since the number of unaffiliated voters has skyrocketed locally and across the state, creating confusion about candidate picks, and then with the bombardment of negative advertising, this process can get confusing.
Here is a short synopsis of the current picks for governor, which has become the signature race, in their own words.
Republican Governor Candidates
Barb Kirkmeyer
Barb Kirkmeyer currently serves as a state Senator for the Senate District 23 in Larimer and Weld Counties (northern Colorado). She also serves on Joint Budget Committee at the Colorado Legislature.
Before becoming a state senator, she was a Weld County Commissioner for several years. Recently, Kirkmeyer has received endorsements from several Teller County leaders including the county commissioners and Sheriff Jason Mikesell.
“My highest priority would be restoring affordability for Colorado families,” Kirkmeyer told Colorado Newsline. “The rising cost of housing, groceries, energy, insurance and everyday necessities is making it harder for hardworking Coloradans to get ahead.”
Scott Bottoms
Bottoms has served as a state representative in the House District 15 in Colorado Springs since 2022. Bottoms served in the U.S. Navy for eight years. For the past 13 years, Bottoms has been the Lead Pastor of the Church at Briargate in Colorado Springs.
“My highest priority as governor in the first year is tackling the child safety crisis head-on while launching Colorado D.O.G.E. to slash waste, restore transparency, and protect families,” Bottoms said when asked by Colorado Newsline what his top priority would be in his first year in office.
Victor Marx
Victor Marx is a Marine veteran as well as the founder and CEO of All Things Possible Ministries. According to his campaign website his ministry has delivered trauma relief, medical aid and other resources to victims of terrorism, trafficking and violence across the world. This is the first time Marx has ever competed for any political office.
“My top priority in year one is lowering the cost of living for Colorado families,” Marx said, according to Colorado Newsline. “That starts with cutting wasteful government spending, rolling back unnecessary fees and regulations, and making housing, energy and everyday essentials more affordable.
Democratic Candidates
Michael Bennet
Michael Bennet has served as one of Colorado’s two U.S. Senators since former Governor Bill Ritter appointed him to fill an open seat in 2009. Before that, he was the managing director of the Anschutz Investment Company and chief of staff to then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
“My highest priority will be taking the cost-of-living crisis head on and doing the hard work of moving Colorado forward,” Bennet told Newsline. “Costs are too high. Families and businesses are being pushed out. Our budget is in crisis.”
Phil Weiser
Weiser was elected as the Colorado Attorney General in 2018. In the past, he worked as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and served in the Department of Justice during the Obama administration. He also served as the dean of the University of Colorado School of Law.
“My top priorities will be fighting back against the Trump administration and ensuring the next generation can afford to live in Colorado and has the opportunity to thrive here,” Weiser answered to the Newsline question. “Right now, the federal government is attacking the rule of the law, slashing funding for critical programs and rolling back civil rights.”
Voting Deadline
There is still time to participate in the primary elections, which feature a more competitive ballot slate compared to previous years. Ballots can be dropped off at four 24/7 ballot box locations in Teller County until 7 p.m. on June 30. And if voters want to cast their tallies in-person, they have that option at a designated voter center at the Woodland Park Public Library. For more information, visit the website of the Teller County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
