Marx concedes to Weiser in Colorado gubernatorial race

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(The Center Square) - Republican Victor Marx has conceded to Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser, who was elected governor of Colorado.

Weiser's election on Tuesday came as Democrats expanded their control of the General Assembly, or Legislature, with a supermajority. There will be 24 Democrats and 11 Republicans in the state Senate and a 49-to-16 Democratic advantage in the state House. A supermajority gives Democrats enough seats to override vetoes.

Democrats successfully obtained every office in the state’s executive branch, with Democratic candidate for attorney general, current Seceretary of State Jena Griswold, winning her race by a 16-point margin as of noon Mountain time on Wednesday. Democratic candidate for secretary of state, Amanda Gonzales, also won, alongside the Democratic candidate for treasurer, Jeff Bridges. 

Each Democratic candidate in the executive branch races won with a 15% or more lead ahead of their Republican challengers. 

Marx wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday evening that he "conceded tonight to Governor-elect Phil Weiser.” Marx was polling 27 points behind Marx as of Wednesday afternoon. He received 728,650 votes, amounting to 34%. Weiser received 1,319,781 votes – a total of 61%. 

Marx said in his post that he called Weiser personally to congratulate him, “because Colorado’s future matters more than any one campaign. Phil and I disagree on a great deal, and we said so plainly. But I will pray for him, and I want him to succeed, because when Colorado’s governor succeeds, Colorado’s families succeed.” 

Michael Allen, the Republican candidate for attorney general, fell short by 16 percentage points. Griswold received 1,251,725 votes – a total of 58% – compared to Allen’s 888,420 votes, which amounted to 42%. 

Allen wrote in a social media post Tuesday night that “Although we came up short, together, we put in the hard work and fought for our future. To everyone who stood with me and supported my campaign - Thank You!” 

For the secretary of state’s race, Gonzales won by 60%, receiving 1,285,055 votes, compared to her Republican challenger, James Wiley, who received 803,533 votes – a total of 37%. 

Wiley conceded live on Denver’s channel 7 news and posted the concession to his social media page, announcing he is now running for Colorado Republican Party chair. 

Bridges, the Democratic candidate for state treasurer, won with 1,249,536 votes, amounting to a total of 59%. His Republican opponent, Kevin Grantham, received 835,972 votes – a total of 39%. 

Tuesday’s election made it clear that Colorado voters are content with Democratic leadership in the executive branch, as they have continued to vote for Democrats since 2018.