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Democrat Jessica Killin Wins Colorado’s 5th Congressional District Primary, Setting Up November Run Against Incumbent Rep. Jeff Crank
Jessica Killin, a former Army captain who served as chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District. Her win on Tuesday places her in a November face‑off with Republican incumbent Jeff Crank, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary and is seeking a second term representing a district that centers on Colorado Springs and stretches across most of El Paso County.
The 5th District, long a Republican stronghold, has shown signs of becoming more competitive. According to the Colorado Sun, Donald Trump’s margin of victory in El Paso County fell from a 22‑point lead in 2016 to a 10‑point lead in 2024, and Republican margins in House races have narrowed over the past decade. This shift has drawn the attention of national Democrats, who added Killin to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) Red to Blue program—a signal that the party views the seat as a possible pickup opportunity.
Killin’s path to the nomination was marked by robust national fundraising and broad support from party leaders. She entered the race as a first‑time candidate, whereas her challenger, Joe Reagan, a fellow Army veteran and nonprofit leader who has previously sought the seat, leaned on local roots, combat experience, and his work helping veterans start businesses. In the primary, Killin defeated Reagan in a race that highlighted the growing influence of progressive momentum, though the victory also underscored the continuing appeal of centrist positions within the Democratic electorate.
“Candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America should not be the face of our party,” Killin told reporters during an online news conference. Prior to the primary, she joined a centrist initiative that described its signatories as “capitalist, not socialist,” and emphasized public safety, fiscal responsibility, secure borders and national pride.
Crank, the current incumbent, has a diverse background that includes seven years on Capitol Hill, a stint as Vice President of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, and leadership roles at Americans for Prosperity and his own real‑estate investment firm. He has also built a media presence through “The Jeff Crank Show” in Colorado and the “American Potential Podcast.”
The district’s geography includes the military installations of Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy, as well as rapidly expanding suburbs of Colorado Springs. Analysts note that these factors—along with the district’s recent tightening of margins—make it a key battleground in the 2024 election cycle.
As the campaign season gears up, Killin’s primary victory will allow her to focus on mobilizing voters in a district that, while still leaning Republican, may be poised for a more competitive race in November. Crank will need to defend his record and appeal to a broader electorate, while Killin will aim to broaden her base beyond the progressive wing that helped propel her to the nomination.
The November election will determine whether Democrats can finally capture a seat that has long been a Republican bastion.