Conservative pastor Rep. Scott Bottoms wins top billing on Colorado Republican primary ballot

Bottoms beat out fellow pastor and political newcomer Victor Marx for the top spot on the June 30 primary ballot.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A warm, cinematic painting depicting a solitary political podium or lectern in a dimly lit, shadowy room, with diagonal beams of light casting a dramatic glow across the scene, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.The Colorado Republican Party's contentious primary battle for governor reflects the party's ongoing struggle to regain its footing in a state that has trended increasingly Democratic.Pueblo Today

Colorado Springs Rep. Scott Bottoms, one of the most conservative lawmakers in the state Capitol, won top billing on the Republican primary ballot at the party's statewide convention on Saturday night. Bottoms, who is in his second term in the statehouse, beat out fellow pastor and political newcomer Victor Marx, winning slightly more than 45% of the 2,145 ballots cast.

Why it matters

The winner of the June Republican gubernatorial primary will face off against the Democratic nominee, either U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet or Attorney General Phil Weiser, in the November general election. No Republican has won the governor's office since 2002, and the last statewide win for a GOP candidate was in 2016.

The details

Both Bottoms and Marx will appear on the June 30 primary ballot. Bottoms promised to work with federal immigration authorities, build nuclear reactors, and 'reclaim safety and security.' He also pledged to 'DOGE the mess out of everything in this state,' a reference to billionaire Elon Musk's 'Department of Government Efficiency.' State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, who is also running for governor, did not participate in the assembly process and has instead submitted signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Marx also submitted signatures while also seeking the assembly nomination.

  • The Republican primary election will be held on June 30, 2026.
  • The statewide convention where Bottoms won top billing took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Rep. Scott Bottoms

A conservative Colorado Springs lawmaker who is in his second term in the state legislature and won top billing on the Republican primary ballot for governor.

Victor Marx

A fellow pastor and political newcomer who finished second to Bottoms in the voting for the top spot on the Republican primary ballot for governor.

Barbara Kirkmeyer

A state senator who is also running for the Republican nomination for governor, but did not participate in the assembly process and instead submitted signatures to appear on the primary ballot.

Michael Bennet

A U.S. senator who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor to replace Jared Polis.

Phil Weiser

The Colorado attorney general who is also seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winner of the June 30 Republican primary will face off against the Democratic nominee in the November 2026 general election.

The takeaway

This race highlights the continued influence of conservative and right-wing factions within the Colorado Republican Party, as well as the challenges the party faces in regaining statewide offices in a state that has trended increasingly Democratic in recent years.