Photo: Colorado’s candidates for governor: Phil Weiser, Victor Marx, Greg Lopez.
Government exists to serve the people, not itself.
— from GregLopez.co
We’re a few weeks away from October 2, when Colorado county clerks can begin mailing ballots to registered Colorado voters.
One of the more interesting races this year — if variety is truly the spice of life — has been the Governor’s race.
Victor Marx
Representing the Colorado Republican Party, we have Victor Marx, a man who has never held a public office, but who claims to have participated in rescuing thousands of people from threatening situations.
Although our humor columnist Louis Cannon wonders why Mr. Marx is so often photographed with a smile on his face — in spite of facing a very tough race in a state that has been trending ever more blue — we should probably assume that Victor Marx is serious about trying to win the Governor’s seat.
He projects some of that seriousness in a series of 2-minute to 7-minute videos posted to his Victor2026.com website, on subjects such as public safety, state budget, Second Amendment, and senior citizens. If you choose to watch all eight videos, you will need to set aside about 30 minutes for the task.
From his website:
Why I’m Running for Governor
I understand hardship because I’ve lived it. I understand leadership because I’ve practiced it — in war zones, on rescue missions, and while rebuilding communities. Now, I’m taking on a new mission, right here at home, for the people I love and for the Colorado where my children and grandchildren will hopefully raise their own families.
Colorado has grown cold. Crime is rampant. Faith and freedom are under attack. Families are struggling under the weight of rising costs and government overreach. That is why I am running for Governor of Colorado — to restore safety, strength, and moral clarity to the state I call home…
As the Republican Party’s candidate, Mr. Marx is in a perfect position to blame all of Colorado’s many social problems on failed Democratic Party policies, and in his video clips, he doesn’t balk at the opportunity. He argues, for example, that Washington’s massive federal spending cuts have no connection whatsoever with the budget cuts Democrats have made in Denver. But despite the financial turmoil, he promises to spend more money on police, housing, seniors, highways… to protect our Colorado way of life.
Unfortunately for the Marx campaign, regulators in the Colorado Secretary of State’s office are seeking a $51,427 fine against Marx’s campaign, for accepting contributions over the legal limit. A hearing in the case is scheduled for today — and that’s only the first of several potential proceedings against the first-time candidate, which also include complaints alleging Marx is illegally collecting unlimited campaign contributions through his online merchandise store.
Phil Weiser
Representing the Democratic Party, we have Phil Weiser, currently serving as Colorado’s attorney general, from which position he has thus far participated in approximately 80 lawsuits filed against the Trump administration.
From the Phil for Colorado website:
Phil Weiser is dedicated to serving others. He believes our government should work for the people, not corporations or special interests. As Attorney General, Phil has stood up to protect the rule of law and our democracy, and he led the charge against irresponsible companies that ripped off Coloradans. He works every day to make our state safer and more affordable. And as our next governor, he’ll continue to build on the progress that makes Colorado such a great place to live…
Mr. Weiser presents quite a different approach to campaigning, compared to Mr. Marx. For one thing, Phil Weiser has shown up regularly to candidate debates — something that Victor Marx has often avoided.
For another, Mr. Weiser apparently enjoys sharing his thoughts and arguments in written form. (As we might expect from an attorney?)
When I visited Victor Marx’ website, I found less than 600 words of text written by the candidate himself, and numerous short video clips (as mentioned above.) Mr. Weiser’s website, by comparison, features over two hours worth of videos, and over 33,000 words (possibly written by the candidate himself?) detailing his “Colorado Blueprint” for the Governor’s office. You can download the “Blueprint” here. (Large file.)
As suggested, attorneys are pretty much required to enjoy writing. It’s what they do, mostly.
For lighter reading on specific topics (if you’re not into reading his 109-page “Blueprint”) candidate Weiser provides a page of links on his website, addressing individual issues:
Greg Lopez
Purportedly representing the independent-minded Colorado voters who are registered ‘Unaffiliated’ because we don’t fully support either political party’s policies, we have Greg Lopez, former mayor of Parker, Colorado.
From his website:
“I’m doing this for the people who’ve been ignored by both parties. For the small business owners buried in red tape. For the parents who want to be heard. For the Coloradans who still believe in hard work, faith, and freedom. I’m running because I believe Colorado’s best days are still ahead if we’re brave enough to fight for them…”
— Greg Lopez
Mr. Lopez has by far the least complicated website. Only one 3-minute video, for example. His intentions for dealing with 21 key issues, once he is elected, are described in 3,300 words. That’s one tenth the verbiage we got from Mr. Weiser, and equal in length to about three Daily Post editorials.
I found it especially interesting that Mr. Lopez proposes to establish a ‘DOGE’ effort in Colorado. I didn’t think that the federal DOGE effort had been particularly popular among Coloradans. But I might be wrong about that.
Many of Mr. Lopez’ positions sound very similar to Mr. Marx’ positions, so I assume those two candidates will split the conservative vote between them, and provide Mr. Weiser with an easy landing in the Governor’s mansion.