Victor Marx, the Republican nominee for Colorado governor and a Marine veteran, announced an all-Marine ticket Wednesday as he seeks to contrast military discipline with what he describes as a growing democratic socialist movement in state politics.
Marx selected retired Marine Col. George Markert as his running mate, creating a gubernatorial team composed entirely of veterans. Marx says the ticket brings the "hard foreheads" and "steely spines" needed to govern Colorado, which has seen progressive primary wins reshape the state's political landscape.
What the Right Is Saying
Marx argues that Colorado residents are paying more in taxes while receiving less in government services. He points to crime rates above national averages as evidence that current Democratic leadership has failed on public safety.
"People know what they're going to get when they get Marines," Marx said in an interview. "We have high integrity."
Markert brings over 30 years of military experience, including senior assignments at U.S. Central Command and Marine Logistics Groups. He transitioned to the private sector overseeing infrastructure operations across North America.
Marx contrasted his outsider status with career politicians, arguing that military discipline provides accountability absent in current state government. "We are one election away," Marx said. "Either me or a Democrat. And I lay the DSA at the Democrats' feet."
What the Left Is Saying
Colorado's Democratic Party and its allies have pushed back against framing the race as a binary choice between Marines and socialism. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) endorsed Melat Kiros in her successful primary challenge to longtime Rep. Diana DeGette, but party officials note that not all Democrats align with DSA positions.
Phil Weiser, the Democratic attorney general challenging Marx for the governorship, has focused his campaign on kitchen-table issues including housing costs and healthcare access. His campaign argues that investing in communities and addressing root causes of crime represents a more effective public safety strategy than purely punitive approaches.
Weiser's record includes repeatedly suing the Trump administration over birthright citizenship restrictions and immigration policies. Supporters say this demonstrates willingness to defend Colorado values, while critics argue it diverts resources from state priorities.
What the Numbers Show
Colorado's crime statistics highlight the stakes of this race. In 2024, the state recorded approximately 476 violent crimes and 2,593 property crimes per 100,000 residents, according to U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics data.
Those figures represent roughly 28% more violent crime and 41% more property crime than national averages for the same period.
Melat Kiros defeated Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary by running on a democratic socialist platform, extending a broader pattern of progressive and DSA-backed candidates winning competitive races across multiple states this election cycle.
The Bottom Line
The Colorado governor's race has become a test case for whether military-style governance resonates with voters frustrated by rising crime and cost of living. Marx frames the choice as between experienced leaders and ideological radicals, while Weiser emphasizes practical solutions to housing and economic pressures.
November's election will determine whether Coloradans view an all-veteran ticket as a strength or whether they side with Weiser's argument that community investment better addresses the state's challenges.