Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) is projected to win the governor's race, according to Decision Desk HQ, defeating Republican Victor Marx and succeeding term-limited Gov. Jared Polis (D). With nearly half of the ballots counted, Weiser holds a commanding lead of just over 64 percent.
Weiser's victory was widely anticipated in a state that has increasingly leaned Democratic in recent cycles. His opponent, Victor Marx, a ministry leader, faced a series of controversies that hampered his campaign and alienated even members of his own party.
Marx drew intense scrutiny for past statements, including a claim that his stepfather forced him to kill a man at age seven. In a May interview, Marx raised further eyebrows when he declined to say whether he had killed anyone else as an adult. His campaign also faced questions about the accuracy of his assertions regarding the number of women and children he had rescued through his missionary work.
The Republican nominee's troubles were compounded by a lack of support from key figures in his own party. Both of his primary opponents refused to endorse him, and former GOP Rep. Ken Buck, a former state party chair, went so far as to endorse Weiser. President Trump, who has endorsed numerous Republicans this cycle, notably did not include Marx on that list.
Weiser's victory continues a Democratic stronghold in Colorado, mirroring other recent Democratic successes in gubernatorial races, such as Keisha Bottoms' win in Georgia, which ended a two-decade GOP hold. It also aligns with the broader trend of Democratic governorships in the West.
Beyond the political implications, Weiser's election marks a historic milestone: he will be the second Jewish governor of Colorado, following Polis. This transition from one Jewish governor to another is a first in U.S. history.
Weiser, who has served as attorney general since 2019, campaigned on a platform of protecting Colorado's environment, expanding healthcare access, and addressing affordability. His victory is seen as a validation of the state's progressive direction and a rebuke of the controversies surrounding his opponent.
Looking ahead, Weiser will face the challenge of governing a state grappling with housing costs, water scarcity, and the transition to renewable energy. His experience as attorney general, where he took on major corporations and defended state laws, is expected to inform his approach to the governor's office.
The race also highlights the broader national landscape, where Democrats have been competitive in gubernatorial contests even as the party faces headwinds in other areas. With Weiser's win, Colorado remains a key part of the Democratic map, and his tenure will be closely watched as a test of progressive governance in the Mountain West.
