Victor
Marx

Marx pledged to audit state spending, use AI to review agency data and contracts for potential waste, and direct agencies to find 10% budget cuts. He said he would not use AI to replace state employees. An expert questioned whether auditing alone could address Colorado's Medicaid-driven budget shortfall.

The Denver Post reported that primary rivals Kirkmeyer and Bottoms both declined to endorse Marx, and that a previously previewed endorsement from former Gov. Bill Owens did not materialize.

Marx declined to take part in a live interview hosted by The Colorado Sun and Rocky Mountain PBS. Weiser appeared without Marx.

Marx and Weiser appeared together at a Colorado Chamber of Commerce forum — their only joint official appearance since before the primary. Marx demanded Weiser apologize for accusing him of domestic violence; Weiser stood by the accusation. Topics included affordability, energy, labor law, and the state budget.

Weiser reported nearly $1.7 million raised in Q3 with $724,879 cash on hand as of October 1. Marx reported just over $1.1 million raised and $158,176 cash on hand, with totals including more than $61,000 in refunds of excess contributions.

Coverage of the Chamber forum highlighted a 2021 podcast in which Marx described pushing his wife into a front door while demonstrating self-defense training. His campaign said she responded with a spinning kick. No legal finding was established.

An investigation found that more than 36% of Marx's campaign spending — about $1.4 million — was classified as fundraising expenses, including payments for donor prospecting and $20,000 to a business linked to Marx's inner circle.

The Marx campaign called the recommended fine a 'political penalty' and said it would appeal. Colorado Politics reported the fine would not become final unless accepted by the Secretary of State.

Mail ballots began going out to Colorado voters as of October 2, with the general election scheduled for November 3.

A hearing officer recommended a $57,647.16 fine covering 210 alleged campaign-finance violations, including 200 contributions exceeding the individual limit and 10 cash contributions above the cash limit. The recommendation was not final at the time of reporting.

Marx defeated state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Scott Bottoms in the Republican primary, becoming the GOP nominee for governor.