The Pastor Running for Governor: Faith, Controversy, and a Rocky Path

Scott Bottoms calls himself a man on a mission, but not the kind most voters expect. The Colorado Springs pastor turned lawmaker insists he never wanted the political spotlight, yet he now leads the Republican race for governor. His reasoning? "God called me to this, " he says, blending faith and policy in ways that surprise even his own party. Bottoms, a two-term state rep, packs his speeches with Bible verses and warnings about Colorado slipping into moral decay, often painting political opponents as forces of evil. His views don’t stay in the pulpit. Bottoms has labeled Democrats as "satan" and compared Islam and Hinduism to Nazism, calling for people to "hate the evil" in other faiths. At his church, he rejects LGBTQ+ rights, insisting gender is fixed at birth. Yet his legislative record is thin—just one bill passed in four years, a 2023 proposal for "In God We Trust" license plates. Even that wasn’t his idea; GOP leaders added his name to it for a quick win.When asked about his biggest achievements, Bottoms jokes, "It wasn’t passing bills. " His colleagues, though, praise his principles. One fellow rep calls him "very smart, very principled, " someone who keeps promises. But his campaign relies more on fiery rhetoric than policy. He blames Democrats for crime, failing schools, and government waste, promising to slash spending if elected. He even insists—without proof—that Trump won the 2020 election. Bottoms also makes bold claims about child trafficking, alleging lawmakers are "buying children, " though he offers no evidence. When pressed, he admits, "We haven’t found any victims. " His only response is vague promises of FBI help, but even that remains unconfirmed. His facts often bend: he once exaggerated the number of Venezuelan gang members in Colorado by confusing migrants with criminals. Polls show he’s trailing badly. A recent survey put him at 6. 3% support, far behind newcomer Victor Marx’s 59. 2%. Marx raised $2. 7 million—more than ten times Bottoms’ haul. Even Bottoms’ rivals refuse to back him, calling Marx a "con man" who would drag down GOP chances. The state’s Republican establishment doubts Bottoms’ chances, noting most Coloradans aren’t as certain about religion as he is.