Colorado Democrats Blast Victor Marx’s “Blatant Disregard” for State Law

Chair sends letter to Secretary of State urging prompt investigation of campaign finance violations

DENVER - Today Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib sent a letter to Secretary of State Jena Griswold, highlighting the seriousness of the recent campaign finance allegations against Victor Marx and his "blatant disregard" for state law in recent public comments.

Murib's letter laid out Marx's accumulation of potential violations, including new complaints filed this week, following local reports that Marx is operating an online campaign store without disclosures, encouraging supporters to buy unlimited merchandise, and failing to collect donor information as required by law.

Murib further blasted Marx for his public comments last week, when he "demeaned the Secretary of State's efforts to hold him accountable and bragged publicly about his scheme to circumvent the law" during his weekly campaign podcast.

The letter concludes: "The people of Colorado refuse to accept corruption from our candidates or elected officials. We will demand better, no matter what side of the aisle a candidate is on."

Read the full letter below (PDF version).

ICYMI: Marx has been embroiled in a widening campaign finance scandal for weeks:

To Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Deputy Secretary Andrew Kline:

The Colorado Democratic Party stands for good governance and accountability. We are alarmed by recent reporting that Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx has not only broken campaign finance law, but demeaned the Secretary of State's efforts to hold him accountable and bragged publicly about his scheme to circumvent the law.

Local news reported last Friday, July 31 that Marx's campaign had launched a new online store where the campaign has been selling branded campaign merchandise without proper disclosures. The station also reported Marx's comments on his podcast last week, where he openly said if supporters "order merchandise, there's no limit on that," and that previous campaign finance complaints against his campaign were a "nothingburger." Marx subsequently advertised a 20% off sale on the online store.

We are aware of new complaints filed this week about Marx's online store, in addition to the bevy of likely violations filed in June and July. We note that these complaints have come from Republican and nonpartisan sources - including your own Elections Division - showing the seriousness of Marx's actions and apolitical nature of these concerns. The Colorado Democratic Party urges the Office to continue its thorough, prompt investigations into these incredibly concerning developments so Marx and those involved can be held accountable for any illegal actions.

Beyond the substantive allegations that his campaign has broken the law, we want to make one thing extremely clear: Marx's dismissive comments show a blatant disregard for Colorado law and are disqualifying. It is unacceptable for any candidate to be so cavalier about violating campaign finance laws, especially a candidate running for governor. The people of Colorado refuse to accept corruption from our candidates or elected officials. We will demand better, no matter what side of the aisle a candidate is on.

Sincerely,

Shad Murib

Chair, Colorado Democratic Party