With the Colorado GOP Primary Ballot Set, Eventual Nominee Guaranteed to be Unelectable

After spending a messy weekend at the Colorado GOP State Assembly embracing divisive conspiracy theories — including that the 2020 election was stolen — Republicans solidified who will appear on their primary ballot for governor. Surprise, surprise, the candidates are both far-right, far-removed from Colorado values, and completely unproven and unelectable.

First on the ballot is Greg Lopez, who secured the top spot, “by aligning himself with the wing of the GOP that baselessly believes the 2020 presidential election was stolen,” as the Colorado Sun reports. This weekend, Lopez preemptively vowed to pardon extreme Colorado election conspiracists in his assembly speech. Lopez has also proudly made anti-gay smears and has a lengthy criminal record, including a domestic violence charge.

Also on the ballot is Heidi Ganahl, who officially lost her frontrunner status with a second-place finish at the assembly. Like Lopez, Ganahl has embraced an extreme agenda that includes a draconian stance on abortion and clear support for the Big Lie.

The assembly was filled with claims and conspiracies of election fraud — including in the GOP’s own elections. Gubernatorial candidate Danielle Neuschwanger, who failed to make the ballot, is openly calling the assembly voting process “fraudulent” and is refusing to concede until she personally investigates the results.

“The Colorado GOP’s batch of gubernatorial candidates are more concerned with conspiracy theories than with Colorado values,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Both Ganahl and Lopez are using hate, fear, and division to distract from the fact that they have absolutely no plans and no experience to govern. Coloradans will see right through their ploy and won’t stand for their extreme agenda.”