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Marine vet Victor Marx narrowly notches victory in Colorado GOP gubernatorial primary
Marine veteran Victor Marx has won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Colorado, narrowly defeating state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer and state Representative Scott Bottoms. The result, called by The Associated Press on Thursday following the 30 June contest, sets up a general election contest against Democratic nominee Phil Weiser, the state's Attorney General, and secures the party's nomination in what was reportedly the closest Republican gubernatorial primary in Colorado history.
Marx, who founded the charity All Things Possible Ministries, says he has led more than 150 missions delivering trauma relief and aid to victims of terrorism, trafficking and violence. Kirkmeyer conceded in a statement acknowledging the tight margin, while Bottoms finished a distant third; Weiser criticised Marx's nomination, arguing that his views and style were "far out of step with Coloradans". Marx has also drawn attention for a claim in his memoir that, aged seven, his stepfather forced him to shoot and kill someone.
In short
- Victor Marx narrowly won Colorado's Republican gubernatorial primary.
- He beat Barbara Kirkmeyer and Scott Bottoms in a record-close race.
- He faces Democrat Phil Weiser in the general election.
Explained simply
Colorado's Republican Party held its primary election for governor on 30 June to choose its candidate for the state's top office. The results, confirmed by the Associated Press on Thursday, showed marine veteran Victor Marx winning in what is described as the closest Republican gubernatorial primary race in Colorado's history, narrowly defeating state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer and state Representative Scott Bottoms.
Marx founded All Things Possible Ministries, a humanitarian organisation through which he says he has led over 150 missions delivering aid to victims of terrorism, trafficking and violence. Kirkmeyer, a state senator, conceded whilst acknowledging the extremely tight margin. The primary contest has drawn scrutiny over claims in Marx's memoir that his stepfather forced him to shoot and kill someone when Marx was seven years old.
Marx will now face Democrat Phil Weiser, Colorado's Attorney General, in the general election that will determine the state's next governor. Weiser has already criticised Marx's nomination, arguing that Marx's views and style do not align with Colorado voters' values. This general election contest will decide which party controls the governorship of Colorado.