PUEBLO–Colorado Republicans gathered for their state assembly Saturday at CSU-Pueblo to select candidates for the June 30 primary election. Over 2,000 delegates were in attendance.
Candidates must receive at least 30% of the delegate vote to qualify for the primary ballot, with the top vote getter earning first slot on the ballot.
Here are the results for statewide races.
Governor
Out of 18 total Republican candidates, only two advanced out of the assembly.
State Rep. Scott Bottoms won the top vote with 45%. Bottoms, also a pastor in Colorado Springs, laid out several issue topics in his speech upon accepting the nomination,
“This is our year,” Bottoms said, “I’m going to reclaim parenthood and childhood for all Coloradans. Two sexes, no genders. We will reclaim safety and security. We will tear down the Venezuelan cartel. Sheriffs will work with ICE.”
His primary opponent, Victor Marx, received 39% of the vote. Marx, a Christian ministry leader and former marine, staked his ground on several issues including defending the First and Second Amendments, rebuilding infrastructure, and keeping boys out of girls’ sports.
“Colorado does not need another politician in this stage of the game,” Marx said. “We’ve lost too well and too long as Republicans and this year it changes.”
Marx also said he would free the incarcerated former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters on day one if elected.
State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer skipped the caucus and assembly process, opting to petition her way on to the ballot. The former Weld County Commissioner is awaiting signature approval from the secretary of state.
U.S. Senate
State Senator Mark Baisely will be the only candidate for the U.S. Senate primary, getting 46% of the vote. Six other candidates all fell short of the required 30%.
Baisley bowed out of his original campaign for governor, diverting his attention to the Senate seat currently held by Democrat John Hickenlooper, who is running for re-election. Hickenlooper in turn is facing a primary challenge from the left in State Senator Julie Gonzalez.
Attorney General
Two candidates for attorney general qualified for the primary ballot. Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen will appear at the top with 64%. David Wilson, former attorney for Tina Peters, received 36%.
Secretary of State
James Wiley will be running unopposed, trumping three other candidates with 70% of the delegate vote. vote. Wiley is the former executive director for the Libertarian Party of Colorado but is now running as a Republican after leaving the Libertarians last year.
Treasurer
Kevin Grantham, former Fremont County Clerk and State Senate President, is the only Republican in the running for state treasurer and will appear solo on the ballot.
Democrats held their state assembly two weeks ago, meaning the primary candidates are nearly decided, pending signature approval for those petitioning their way on. Primary ballots are expected to hit mailboxes in early June.
