Statehouse
Weiser holds a nearly five-to-one cash edge over Marx as governor's race enters its final month
The Democrat raised nearly $1.7 million in the third quarter to the Republican's $1.1 million, disclosures show, while a hearing officer recommended a record $57,647 fine against the Marx campaign over excess contributions.
DENVER
It was Weiser's best fundraising quarter since the first quarter of 2025, just after he launched his campaign. The two-term attorney general defeated U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the June Democratic primary, overcoming heavy spending by a billionaire-funded super PAC that backed Bennet, and he is considered the heavy favorite in the Nov. 3 general election.
Marx, a first-time candidate and ministry leader from Colorado Springs, reported just over $1.1 million in third-quarter contributions and $158,176 in cash on hand, leaving him outgunned nearly five to one in the stretch run. He narrowly won a three-way contest for the Republican nomination.
Marx's books were weighed down by contribution-limit violations. His campaign refunded more than $61,000 in overages to donors who gave more than the $1,450 per-person legal maximum. Administrative hearing officer Macon Cowles recommended a $57,647.16 fine against the campaign covering 210 separate violations, calling the scale of the violations "without precedent." The campaign says it will appeal, and a final decision rests with the deputy secretary of state.
The hearing officer documented 200 individual contributions above the $1,450 limit and 10 cash donations above the $100 cash cap, totaling about $83,758 in prohibited donations. Cowles wrote that the campaign's compliance operation fell short: "The person charged with compliance did not know what he was doing, and no one above him made sure that he did." The campaign blamed the violations on inexperience and said it tried to return the excess money to donors.
The recommended fine was higher than what state elections officials had requested. Marx also faces a separate set of complaints alleging violations connected to his campaign's merchandise store. Colorado's constitution bars gubernatorial candidates from accepting more than $1,450 from any one individual, and state rules require excess contributions to be refunded or donated to charity.
The Marx campaign has admitted it "unintentionally" accepted donations above the legal limit. Its attorney, Chris Murray, argued during the hearing that the penalty the state requested was out of proportion to the conduct, but the hearing officer disagreed and found some circumstances aggravated.
The deputy secretary of state will now consider exceptions to the hearing officer's initial decision and issue a final agency order, which the campaign can then appeal in court.
The finance reports landed as mail ballots go out to Colorado voters for the Nov. 3 general election, which will decide who succeeds the term-limited Gov. Jared Polis.
