Colorado gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx stands in his Colorado Springs recording studio, on a property that houses his nonprofit's headquarters and combat training facilities on May 14, 2026. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite via the Colorado Capitol News Alliance)

Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx on Friday announced fellow Marine veteran George Markert as his running mate. 

George Markert. (U.S. Marines)

Markert, a retired Marine colonel, originally ran for U.S. Senate this year but failed to make the primary ballot. The Broomfield resident moved to Colorado about three years ago as he settled his family after leaving the military.

“It’s an opportunity to serve,” Markert said on 710 KNUS, a conservative talk radio station where Marx announced the pick Friday morning. “It’s an opportunity to step up and lead.” 

When he ran for Senate, his first bid for public office, Markert called himself “a constitutional conservative and proud supporter of President Trump’s America First agenda.”

Marx said he picked Markert because of his ability to get things done.

“You have to have a governor and a lieutenant governor who have a backbone,” he said.

Friday was the deadline by which Marx had to announce his running mate, who will become lieutenant governor if Marx is elected to lead the state. 

Marx and Markert face the Democratic team of Attorney General Phil Weiser and Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper in November.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Jesse Paul is a Denver-based political reporter and editor at The Colorado Sun, covering the state legislature, Congress and local politics. He is the author of The Unaffiliated newsletter and also occasionally fills in on breaking news coverage. A Colorado College graduate, Jesse worked at The Denver Post from June 2014 until July 2018, when...