AP Calls Killin Winner Over Crank in Colorado’s 5th

Colorado Springs will send a Democrat to the U.S. House for the first time after the Associated Press on Thursday afternoon declared Jessica Killin the winner over Republican Rep. Jeff Crank in the state’s 5th Congressional District, Colorado Politics and CBS Colorado reported. Colorado Politics said the Associated Press made the call shortly after 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

CBS Colorado listed Killin with 155,598 votes (50.5%) to Crank’s 141,074 (45.8%), with Libertarian Mark Elworth at 5,989 (1.9%) and about 99% of expected ballots counted. Colorado Politics said Killin led by more than 13,000 votes and held about 50.6% to Crank’s 46% in the tally available when the call was made. NBC News also listed Killin as the projected winner at 50.5% to 45.8%, with roughly 3,200 expected ballots still outstanding.

First Democratic win in the district

Colorado Politics said the district, which covers Colorado Springs and most of El Paso County, had elected only Republicans in its 54-year history and that no prior Democratic nominee had topped 41% there. CBS Colorado called the seat a decades-long Republican stronghold and said this will be the first time a Democrat represents it in the House. Former Rep. Doug Lamborn held the seat from 2006 until 2024, when Crank succeeded him, Colorado Politics reported.

Developing: El Paso County was still counting remaining ballots after the Associated Press call; certified margins may shift slightly from the unofficial tallies.

Killin, Crank and the concession

Killin, 53, is an Army veteran who grew up in Colorado Springs, served as chief of staff to former second gentleman Doug Emhoff and previously worked as a USAA executive and as a top aide in Democratic congressional offices, according to Colorado Politics and CBS Colorado. She moved back to the district last year to run. Crank posted on Facebook that he had called Killin to congratulate her and would help with her transition, Colorado Politics reported, adding that he made no public appearance Thursday.

Killin held a news conference at her Colorado Springs campaign headquarters after the call and said she hoped Congress would reclaim authority on tariffs and war powers, Colorado Politics reported. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said in a statement that he was committed to a bipartisan approach with Killin on affordability, according to Colorado Politics. The result adds another House flip to Democrats’ midterm gains; see also Democratic women’s record House seat haul.

Sources: CBS Colorado, Colorado Politics, NBC News, Associated Press