Marine veteran wins Republican nomination for Colorado governor

Victor Marx, a Marine veteran who leads an anti-human trafficking nonprofit, won the Republican nomination for Colorado governor, CNN's Decision Desk projects. Marx defeated state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Scott Bottoms. Both rivals said they would not endorse him if he became the nominee.

Background and campaign Marx, who describes himself as a "high-risk humanitarian," has drawn attention for claims that include being forced to kill a man at age 7 and ordering an airstrike targeting ISIS. He has also said his teams have rescued more than 45,000 women and children, a figure later removed from his campaign website.

" He said voters should focus on issues such as crime, spending, and addiction treatment.

Opponent criticism During the campaign, Bottoms, an evangelical pastor, called Marx a "con man" and said he had lied personally to him. " Marx responded that he had "an extraordinary life" and that thousands of people could verify his accounts. He said he would continue praying for people if elected.

Marx will face Democrat Phil Weiser, the state's attorney general, in the November general election. Colorado has not elected a Republican governor in more than two decades.