Nearly every story written this year about Colorado’s Republican gubernatorial primary includes the name of State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer as a potential — if unannounced — candidate. She herself shared a story from late last year which described her as a “leading potential gubernatorial candidate.” That said, she still hasn’t declared her candidacy.
Three weeks ago, however, someone spent the time and money to register four new websites — all of which are versions of “kirkmeyerforgovernor.” The most common version, kirkmeyerforgovernor.com, was also registered on the same day.
Could there be another Kirkmeyer running for the top job in another state? Perhaps, but on that same day, within the same few minutes, someone also renewed the registrations for another pair of variations of her well-known website, “kirkmeyerforcolorado,” which the legislator has used for her previous campaigns.
Kirkmeyer recently posted images from a Fourth of July celebration this past weekend in Firestone, in which she carried her state senate campaign signs that feature the “KirkmeyerForColorado.com” website address.
When and if the longtime legislator decides to enter the race, she will face a crowded and contentious primary field which includes, at the moment, two of her caucus colleagues: state Sen. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), and state Rep. Scott Bottoms (R-Colorado Springs).
Both legislators are more conservative than Kirkmeyer, who already faces accusations of being an establishment “RINO,” or “Republican In Name Only,” based largely on her quarter-century in public office and her current position on the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, which mandates bipartisan participation and unanimous agreement for bill approval.
Numerous MAGA activists, including Mark Hampton, who is vying for the party’s Vice Chair position, routinely refer to Kirkmeyer as a “RINO,” occasionally posting memes meant to attack her for her perceived establishment ties.
Other Republicans already in the gubernatorial primary race include perennial candidate and recent interim CD4 Congressman Greg Lopez, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, and Douglas County personal injury lawyer Will McBride.
Kirkmeyer did not respond to a text message request for comment. This article will be updated with any response received.
