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Scott Bottoms: The Firebrand Pastor Shaking Up Colorado’s Governor Race

From Pulpit to Politics: A Mission Driven by Faith

Scott Bottoms never sought the political spotlight—but now, he’s leading the Republican primary for Colorado governor. The two-term state representative and pastor frames his campaign as a divine calling: "God called me to this."

With a rhetoric steeped in biblical imagery, Bottoms paints Colorado’s moral decline as a spiritual crisis. He doesn’t spare his opponents—labeling Democrats as "satan" and equating Islam and Hinduism to Nazism. "Hate the evil in other faiths," he urges, while his church actively opposes LGBTQ+ rights, asserting that gender is fixed at birth.

A Thin Legislative Record—and a Reliance on Rhetoric

Despite his bold claims, Bottoms’ political legacy is modest. In four years, he’s passed just one bill—a 2023 effort for "In God We Trust" license plates, which GOP leaders added his name to for political convenience.

When pressed on achievements, he quips: "It wasn’t passing bills."

Yet his supporters praise his principles. "Very smart, very principled," says one fellow lawmaker—someone who keeps promises. But his campaign thrives on fiery speech rather than policy. He blames Democrats for crime, failing schools, and government waste, vowing to slash spending if elected—while falsely claiming Trump won in 2020.

Unsubstantiated Allegations and Factual Stretches

Bottoms’ campaign is rife with unverified claims. He alleges lawmakers are "buying children" in a child trafficking ring—yet admits: "We haven’t found any victims." His only response? Vague promises of FBI intervention, with no confirmation.

His facts often falter. He once inflated the number of Venezuelan gang members in Colorado by conflating migrants with criminals.

Polling Disaster and GOP Skepticism

The numbers tell a clear story. A recent poll placed Bottoms at 6.3% support—crushed by newcomer Victor Marx, who leads with 59.2%. Marx has raised $2.7 million—over ten times Bottoms’ haul.

Even Bottoms’ rivals dismiss him. Marx’s camp calls him a "con man" who could drag down GOP chances. The state’s Republican establishment shares their doubts: most Coloradans aren’t as devoutly religious as he is.

Is Bottoms a prophet of a political revival—or just a preacher without a plan?