This story was first published at Colorado Newsline.
DENVER | State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer qualified Wednesday for the Republican primary in the Colorado governor’s race after her petition was verified by the secretary of state’s office.
Kirkmeyer, of Brighton, will face state Rep. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx, who both qualified for the ballot during the Republican state assembly last weekend. Bottoms, who received the most delegate votes, will have the top line for the June 30 primary.
“This campaign has been built by thousands of real people, in real communities, all across Colorado,” Kirkmeyer said in a statement. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to sign our petition, share our message, and be part of something bigger. This is your campaign.”
Candidates can access the ballot either through the caucus and assembly process or by submitting a petition with a sufficient number of voter signatures. Governor candidates need at least 1,500 signatures from voters in each of Colorado’s eight congressional districts. Kirkmeyer surpassed that threshold with over 15,000 valid signatures.
Whoever wins the Republican primary will advance to the general election to face either U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet or Attorney General Phil Weiser, who are competing in the Democratic primary for governor.
The last time Colorado voters elected a Republican governor was in 2002 with Bill Owens.
Also on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd qualified for the Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District, Wanda James qualified for the Democratic primary in the 1st Congressional District and Murray Smith qualified for the Democratic primary in the University of Colorado Regent District 2 race, all via petition.
On Tuesday, Democratic attorney general candidates Michael Dougherty and Hetal Doshi qualified by petition for the ballot.
Six statehouse candidates are awaiting review of their petitions to qualify for the primary ballot. One of those waiting is Aurora Public Schools board director Anne Keke, who submitted signatures to challenge state Rep. Jamie Jackson in a state House District 41 Democratic primary.