Victor Marx Picks Retired Marine Colonel George Markert as Running Mate

Aspen —“George is not a career politician — just like me,” Victor Marx said.

Marx, the Republican candidate for Colorado governor, picked George Markert as his running mate Friday. The announcement came on conservative talk radio show 710 KNUS.

Markert is a retired Marine colonel. He also ran for the U.S. Senate earlier this year but failed to qualify for the ballot. Marx called him a “proven leader” who understands logistics, infrastructure, and public safety.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrat Phil Weiser made his choice last week. The state’s attorney general selected Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper to be his lieutenant governor.

Dahlkemper has served on the Jefferson County Commission since 2019. Her campaign highlighted her work distributing $900 million in opioid settlement funds. She also abolished the county’s revenue cap under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

Weiser noted her partnership with the Southern Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute tribes. That connection matters. One of the lieutenant governor’s key roles is chairing the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.

“Weiser will lead from the bottom up, not the top down,” Dahlkemper said in a statement. “He will ensure the state honors the sovereignty of the tribes and respects them as the valued partners they are.”

Weiser called Dahlkemper a “good neighbor” in the face of shared challenges. He said he couldn’t imagine a better partner for that work.

Marx’s selection process drew some scrutiny. He told the radio host he looked on Craigslist and Facebook before making his pick. He insisted the decision was critical because it defines what his administration will look like.

“Markert is not a career politician — just like me,” Marx said again, emphasizing their shared background. He described Markert as someone who builds organizations and serves others.

The stakes are high for both tickets. Colorado hasn’t elected a Republican governor since Bill Owens in 2002. Voters have shifted Democratic in the years since.

Marx faces an uphill battle. He needs to convince a electorate that has moved left to back a Republican who isn’t a career politician.

Weiser, the incumbent attorney general, has the advantage of name recognition and party alignment. But his choice of Dahlkemper signals a focus on local governance and tribal relations.

Both running mates bring specific credentials to the ballot. Dahlkemper brings county-level policy experience and tribal partnership. Markert brings military command and logistical expertise.

Marx said Colorado has been “on the wrong track for quite some time.” Markert agreed, calling the lieutenant governorship a chance to “serve, to step up and lead.”

The November election will tell if Coloradans agree.