Defeated Republican's acid parting shot at demon hunting rival who clinched nomination: 'I still haven't killed anyone'

By SAMANTHA LOREN, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 16:40, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 16:45, 10 July 2026 The closest Republican gubernatorial primary in Colorado history has finally come to an end, leaving some political observers astounded. Victor Marx narrowly defeated state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer by just 2,516 votes, with the race not officially called until over a week after Election Day. Kirkmeyer is refusing to let voters forget the controversy surrounding her former rival after conceding the race, taking a swipe at Marx. 'Now the voters will make the final decision in November, and I hope they choose the path that is best for Colorado,' she said. 'I’m still proud of the campaign we ran... and, for the record, I still haven’t killed anyone.' The remark was a direct jab at questions surrounding Marx’s past. During a debate, Marx would not answer how many people he had killed. He has maintained that when he was seven years old, his allegedly abusive stepfather forced him to kill a man. Marx has previously spoken about the incident as part of his story of surviving childhood trauma, but critics have questioned his responses when asked about how many people he has killed. Kirkmeyer and Marx's campaigns did not respond to the Daily Mail's immediate request for comment on Marx's alleged killing.  Victor Marx speaks before accepting his nomination during the Colorado Republican State Assembly in April Colorado state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, right, participates in a Republican gubernatorial debate with Colorado state Representative Scott Bottoms, left, and Victor Marx, center Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx answers questions from reporters on election night 'You may not agree with me on everything, and that’s okay,' Marx said in his victory address on X, as he attempted to reach beyond the Republican base and appeal to a wider group of Colorado voters. In his speech, he argued that the state has moved away from the vision of the nation’s founding fathers, emphasized the state's fentanyl crisis, and urged voters to hold government accountable to put more money back into Coloradans’ pockets. Marx will now face Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser in the November election. 'From the little we know about Victor Marx, his views and style are far out of step with Coloradans, and his nomination for governor is a threat to our state’s values and our future,' Weiser wrote in a statement. 'Governing is serious business, and Coloradans have a clear choice in this race: a politics of showing up, listening, and fighting for the rights and freedoms of all — or a politics of deception, demonization, and distraction.' Weiser added that, if re-elected, he would focus on 'fighting against lawlessness and corruption and for a brighter future for all Coloradans.' Weiser’s 'demonization' comment is a jab at Marx’s comments on demons. During a heated theological clash on Candace Owens’ podcast, the former military veteran and evangelist argued that demons are real, actively deceive people, and that all Christians, not just priests or pastors, have the authority to cast them out in Jesus’ name. The last Republican governor to hold office in Colorado was Bill Owens, who won the election in 1998 — meaning Marx could be facing an uphill battle in a state that has long favored Democrats in recent statewide races. While the Republican primary may be over, the controversy surrounding Marx’s background is likely to remain a major issue as he moves toward a November showdown with Weiser.