Staff Reports
Phil Weiser, the Colorado Attorney General, was projected the winner of the Colorado governor’s race this week after early returns showed a lopsided margin. The Associated Press called the contest almost as soon as polls closed. The numbers were clear: Weiser piled up roughly 61% of the vote while Republican Victor Marx trailed near 33%, with the independent former congressman well behind. This result cements the state’s Democratic tilt — and gives conservatives a lot to think about.
What the returns actually showed
The night’s math was not close. Early returns gave Weiser a commanding lead and reporters called the race quickly. Those numbers reflect both Weiser’s fundraising edge and a weak GOP ticket. Victor Marx’s campaign never recovered from a major campaign-finance penalty that dogged him in the fall. Voters in the big metro counties delivered the margin that made the call quick and decisive.
Why Weiser’s victory matters beyond a party label
Weiser is not a moderate mystery. As Colorado Attorney General and a former federal lawyer who clerked at the U.S. Supreme Court, he has deep ties to the national Democratic legal world. That matters because governors shape policy and legal fights. Expect more lawsuits from the state, tougher regulations, and a bigger role for state government in areas like housing and labor. If you liked the last two Democratic governors’ moves, you’ll probably like this one. If you didn’t, buckle up.
Lessons for Colorado conservatives
Blaming a single fine or a single race is easy. The real problem is strategic: Democrats have built a winning coalition here, and Republicans failed to offer a clear, compelling alternative. Candidate quality matters. Message discipline matters. If conservatives want to compete, they must recruit electable nominees, focus on kitchen-table issues like cost of living and public safety, and stop acting surprised when a weak statewide ticket walks into a Democratic wave.
Phil Weiser will take the governor’s office with a broad mandate from Colorado voters. For Republicans in the state, that is a wake-up call and an opportunity. Face the political hard truths, rebuild the bench, and make a case that sticks. Otherwise, Colorado’s blue streak will just keep getting longer — and the rest of the country will keep taking notes on how to win the same way.
