The Republican primary for the Colorado gubernatorial race recently experienced significant shifts, with notable candidate departures. State Senator Mark Baisley has opted to exit the gubernatorial race to pursue a U.S. Senate bid instead. He made this announcement during an interview with a conservative podcaster, citing a three-week discussion with his campaign team regarding this change.
Mark Baisley’s Senate Aspirations
Baisley now focuses on the U.S. Senate race, believing it aligns better with his skills. However, he faces challenges, particularly in fundraising, as national Republican support may prioritize races in more competitive states. Currently, the Senate seat is held by Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper, making it a complex battleground for Republicans.
Greg Lopez’s Shift to Unaffiliated Status
In another development, former U.S. Representative Greg Lopez announced his exit from the Republican Party, choosing to run as an unaffiliated candidate for governor. This decision enables him to simplify his path to the ballot. Lopez expressed discontent with both major parties, stating, “Both parties raise money better than they solve problems.”
- Changes in Ballot Access: As an unaffiliated candidate, Lopez only needs to gather 1,000 signatures from voters in each of Colorado’s eight congressional districts, compared to the 1,500 required as a Republican.
- Political Background: Lopez has previously switched from the Democratic Party and has made three attempts for the governorship. His past includes a brief tenure as the U.S. representative for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.
Current Republican Candidates
Despite the exits of Baisley and Lopez, several Republicans remain in the race for the Colorado governorship. These include:
- State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer
- Podcaster and election conspiracy theorist Joe Oltmann
- Marine veteran Victor Marx
Current Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, is set to leave office in 2026 due to term limits. He won re-election in 2022 by a significant margin of nearly 20 percentage points. His first election victory in 2018 was by 10 points.
Future of the Primary Elections
The Democratic and Republican primaries for governor are scheduled for June. It remains to be seen how these developments will shape the electoral landscape in Colorado. The race continues to evolve with potential impacts from candidate strategies and partisan dynamics.
