The Pew Charitable Trusts

At the end of a topsy-turvy Republican primary campaign for Colorado governor, Dan Maes ended up on top by a slim margin. But now that the dust is settling from Tuesday's contest, Maes has found few new fans in the party that just elected him.

"Although GOP state chair Dick Wadhams said he supported Maes as the nominee, the silence from other top Republicans throughout the state, as well as nationally, on his surprise win Tuesday over former GOP congressman Scott McInnis indicated that full support may not be forthcoming," the Denver Post wrote. 

Maes insists that the Republican establishment is behind him, according to the Pueblo Chieftain . "In the first 12 hours since my victory in this race, I've been extremely encouraged by the support I've received from all sectors of the Republican Party, and I have every confidence that the party will solidify behind me," Maes said in a written statement.

The biggest immediate obstacle for Maes is Tom Tancredo, a former Republican congressman who is now running as a third-party candidate for governor. Tancredo threw his hat in the ring after a plagiarism scandal undermined McInnis' candidacy. Maes called for Tancredo to exit the race in his victory speech, but Tancredo is having none of it.

"I have the same request of (Maes)," Tancredo told The Colorado Independent . "I think that he's the third-party candidate and it'd be a good idea for him to drop out to reduce the split among conservative voters."

Maes drew criticism during the primary campaign for suggesting that a Denver bike-sharing program was part of an international conspiracy headed by the United Nations. The Denver Post's editorial board took him to task Thursday for what the paper says was overstating his business success and lacking "rudimentary knowledge about state government."

It's a line of attack Tancredo is using as well. "I have a better resume," he told the Independent . "At least I know how long the legislative session lasts and how it works.