Killin leads Crank in Colorado Springs congressional race

Democratic candidate Jessica Killin held a seven-point lead over incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in early returns for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District. As of 10:50 p.m., Killin had secured 52% of the vote compared to Crank’s 45%. Local polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Representatives for the Killin campaign could not be reached Tuesday night to comment on the results. Eve Sparks, a spokesperson for the Crank campaign, stated that the team declined to offer remarks when approached at their watch party.

Killin, 53, is a former U.S. Army captain and served as chief of staff to Doug Emhoff. She won the Democratic primary in June by defeating Joe Reagan. Crank, 59, advanced from the Republican primary without opposition.

The district, which encompasses Colorado Springs and its suburbs, has never sent a Democrat to Congress in its history spanning more than 50 years. Campaign finance reports filed through Oct. 14 indicated Killin raised over $5.5 million, while Crank raised more than $2.8 million.

Killin’s campaign emphasized lowering costs for families and improving accessibility through regular in-person town halls. Crank focused his message on homeownership affordability and his service on the House Armed Services Committee. He also cited his desire to expand savings from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.