April 27, 2026 10:35 AM UTC

Kirkmeyer Walks Out During Assault Victim’s Speech as Primary Politics Cloud GOP Crime Event

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• by: Erik Maulbetsch

(Drama on the West Steps — Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Originally posted at the Colorado Times Recorder

A Friday afternoon conservative “Stand with Crime Victims” political event ended with some apparent inter-party drama as a Republican gubernatorial candidate walked out during the final crime victim’s speech.

State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer joined several of her fellow Republicans, mostly House members, on the steps to stand behind the speakers. With both chambers working on bills, legislators came and went. Kirkmeyer arrived while Michelle Chandler, the second-to-last victim, was speaking.

After Chandler finished, emcee Jeff Hunt returned to the mic. He began by acknowledging the Republicans’ “contentious primary,” but said that “all three of them are going to be tough on crime,” referring to the three-way race between Kirkmeyer, Rep. Scott Bottoms (R-Colo. Springs), and ministry leader Victor Marx for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Then Hunt, who is helping Marx’s campaign, called up not Kirkmeyer but her colleague state Sen. Mark Baisely (R-Woodland Park), who is also running for a statewide office; he is the presumptive GOP nominee for U.S. Senate.

After Baisley finished, Hunt announced the event’s “final speaker,” Victor Marx’s daughter Gabby. Her story of being assaulted in a parking lot has been a central theme of his campaign, although elements of the crime have been questioned by Marx skeptic Darcy Schoening, who has reviewed the police report and 911 recordings. Marx recounted the incident in detail before concluding by telling the 40-50 attendees that her father, who is running for governor, has the “bold leadership” needed to fix Colorado.

Kirkmeyer didn’t hear that last part, however, as halfway through Marx’s speech, she picked up her bag, leaned over to say something briefly to Hunt, and walked back inside.

Kirkmeyer did not respond to an email inquiry as to whether she was expecting to be able to speak, particularly after Hunt gave Baisley the microphone, or whether she knew that one of her opponent’s family members was going to have the event’s most prominent speaking slot. Hunt likewise did not respond to an emailed question about their discussion and whether Kirkmeyer had any expectation of speaking. This article will be updated with any responses received.

State Rep. Dan Woog (R-Erie), who organized the event along with Hunt, told the Colorado Times Recorder that initially the plan was for only himself, Hunt, and the victims to speak, but that as other Republicans arrived, some of them wanted a moment at the podium. He said he invited his House colleague but knew that some of them wouldn’t be able to leave the floor as they were working on amendments to several bills, including HB26-1281, a criminal justice bill broadly opposed by his caucus.

On Saturday, Victor Marx posted on Facebook about the event, noting that while he wasn’t there, his wife was there accompanying his daughter, and he described the incident as he says it was recounted to him:

“A sitting state senator who is also running for governor was present with other elected officials, listening to the testimonies. When Gabriella stepped forward to speak, the senator asked if she was the daughter of Victor Marx. Once it was confirmed, the senator reportedly said something rude, picked up her purse, and walked off the steps.”

Marx’s post also included a statement from his wife:

“As Gabriella’s mother, that is deeply disappointing and shameful. The man who assaulted my daughter was charged and convicted, including unlawful sexual contact, along with multiple additional offenses. This was not minor. This was serious, criminal behavior; he is now in prison.

These are not political props. These are real women and girls sharing real trauma and pain. Every survivor deserves to be heard with basic respect and dignity, regardless of who they are or what their family is connected to.

Leadership means showing up for victims of crime, even when it is uncomfortable or politically inconvenient. Walking away from a young woman’s testimony sends the wrong message. My daughter’s voice and the voices of all the women who spoke matter.

Victims should never be belittled. We need leaders who will stand with every survivor, every single time, no exceptions.! urge Senator Barb Kirkmeyer to publicly apologize, not only to our daughter, but to the other survivors who were present that day, and to every Coloradan who has endured the pain of victimization and deserved to be treated with dignity.” 

Via email, Bottoms confirmed to CTR that Woog had invited him to the event, but that he was “…unable to leave the floor.”

“We are fighting three controversial bills today,” wrote Bottoms. “I am in favor of being tough on crime. That is actually the bill we are fighting as I type. I am committed to fighting against the far left and their agenda to hurt Colorado.”