Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser Builds Bipartisan Coalition Ahead of November Election
Weeks before the Nov. 3 election, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is campaigning as the presumptive winner by courting Republican leaders and law enforcement groups to build a bipartisan governing coalition. The two-term attorney general has promised to tap diverse leaders across the state for this administration and is considering appointing a Republican to his cabinet.
Republican Endorsements and Police Union Backing
Weiser’s campaign announced the backing of 16 current and former elected Republicans, including former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck and former Attorney General Cynthia Coffman. Buck recorded a video endorsing the Democrat, citing a shared belief in political integrity. Additional endorsements came from former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Russ George, former state Senate Majority Leader Norma Anderson, and Las Animas and Teller County commissioners Tony Hass and Dan Williams. On the labor front, the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police—an organization that backed Republican nominee Heidi Ganahl in the 2022 gubernatorial race—announced its endorsement of Weiser. State lodge president Micheal Deedon cited Weiser’s record of service and commitment to public safety in an official statement.
Former President Obama and GOP Challenger Victor Marx Respond
The campaign also secured the backing of former President Barack Obama, who announced his support in a message highlighting Weiser’s previous tenure as a science and innovation adviser in the White House. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Victor Marx faces an uphill battle in a state that has elected only one Republican governor in the past 50 years and has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2016. Marx criticized the establishment backing of his opponent in a statement to Axios, asserting that voters want real change rather than more of the same. Marx’s website lists U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert as an endorser.
Bipartisan Budget Discussions and Cabinet Plans
During the race’s lone candidate forum, hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Weiser emphasized unity, stating that the state is better together. He specifically named state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a former Republican candidate for governor, and Senate GOP leader Cleave Simpson as potential administrative figures. Following a meeting with Weiser, Taggart praised the candidate for a straightforward conversation regarding the challenging state budget that the next governor will inherit. Taggart encouraged the creation of a bipartisan cabinet to send a positive message to the Legislature regarding cross-party cooperation.
Voters head to the polls on Nov. 3 to decide the gubernatorial race.
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