Colorado Republican Party Secretary Russ Andrews endorsed unaffiliated gubernatorial candidate Greg Lopez on Thursday, breaking with his party’s nominee, Victor Marx, in a decision Andrews said was driven by questions about Marx’s conduct and fitness for office. Andrews told Colorado Politics he found it “impossible” to support Marx “in good conscience” after recent revelations. “Staying true to myself and my integrity is more important than being secretary of the party,” Andrews said. Marx, a Christian ministry leader from Colorado Springs and a first-time candidate, narrowly won the Republican nomination in June. He faces Democratic nominee Phil Weiser, the state attorney general, and Lopez, a former Republican congressman now running without a party affiliation. The winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Jared Polis. Andrews cited a proposed campaign-finance penalty of nearly $60,000 and audio recordings in which Marx described past episodes of losing his temper with family members. A hearing officer recommended the fine last week over hundreds of alleged campaign-finance violations, including contributions above legal limits that were not promptly refunded. Marx is appealing and has called the proposed penalty political. Marx has also disputed characterizations of podcast recordings in which he described throwing his wife against a door and, in another clip, throwing his toddler-aged son across a room. Andrews said Marx’s explanations did not change his decision. In a statement, Andrews said the reports raised “fundamental questions” about Marx’s character and fitness for office. Marx said Andrews’ endorsement would not change the party’s mission. “The Colorado Republican Party exists for one reason: to elect Republican leaders with vision and conservative values,” he said, adding that his campaign is focused on safer streets, lower costs and effective government. Andrews acknowledged that endorsing a non-Republican candidate conflicts with state party bylaws. Party Chair Craig Steiner said the GOP would focus on the election for now and could consider any possible violations afterward. “Bylaw violations can be addressed after Nov. 3,” Steiner said. Andrews said he would not resign if asked. “Let’s take that all the way to a vote,” he said. He is also running for a seat in the state House representing District 57 on the Western Slope. The endorsement comes amid continued upheaval in the state party, which has seen multiple leadership changes in recent years. State Vice Chair Eric Grossman said Andrews’ decision reflected deeper problems and renewed calls among some Republicans to restrict the party’s primary to GOP voters. Colorado’s semi-open primary system, approved by voters in 2016, allows unaffiliated voters to participate in a major party’s primary. The state GOP has sought to overturn the law and has repeatedly tried to opt out of the system.