Killin takes Colorado 5th District, ending GOP hold

Colorado Springs, Colo. Democrat Jessica Killin defeated incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Crank to win Colorado's 5th Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race for Killin, marking the first time a Democrat has held the seat since it was created in 1972.

Killin, 53, led Crank with 50.56% of the vote against his 45.98% as of 12:38 p.m. Thursday. At that time, 94% of the total votes had been counted. The district, which includes Colorado Springs and its surrounding suburbs, had been a reliable Republican stronghold for decades.

Redistricting and population growth in suburban areas contributed to a gradual shift toward the Democratic column in recent years. Killin's victory secures a first-term position representing one of the state's geographically smaller and more urban districts.

Before entering the race, Killin served as a captain in the Army from 1995 to 2003. She later worked as a congressional staffer and served as chief of staff to Doug Emhoff, then the second gentleman of the United States.

Crank sought a second term in office after previously working as a congressional aide. He formerly oversaw the Colorado chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group. He also operated a real estate investment company prior to his time in Congress.