SouthernWorldwide.com – Jessica Killin has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, securing her place in a November showdown against incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Crank.
Killin, a former Army captain and previously served as chief of staff to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, defeated Joe Reagan, a fellow Army veteran and nonprofit leader. This outcome means she will now face Crank, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is seeking a second term. The district is based in Colorado Springs and encompasses most of El Paso County, including several communities with a significant military presence.
Killin entered the race as a first-time candidate, backed by national support and robust fundraising efforts. In contrast, Reagan, who had previously run for the seat in 2024, emphasized his local ties, combat experience, and his nonprofit work aimed at assisting veterans in starting businesses.
The upcoming general election will be a crucial test to see if Democrats can make inroads in a district that traditionally leans Republican. This area includes major military installations like Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy, alongside the rapidly growing suburbs of Colorado Springs.
The race has garnered considerable national attention from Democrats, as the Colorado Springs-based district, a long-standing Republican stronghold, has begun to show signs of increased competitiveness. Reports indicate that Donald Trump’s margin of victory in El Paso County, which largely overlaps with the 5th District, decreased from 22 points in 2016 to 10 points in 2024. Furthermore, Republican margins in House races within the district have also narrowed over the past decade.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has recognized Killin’s potential by including her in its Red to Blue program. This designation signals that national Democrats view the Republican-held seat as a viable pickup opportunity, despite the district’s overall GOP-leaning nature.
The current incumbent, Rep. Jeff Crank, boasts a diverse background. He previously served as a Capitol Hill staffer for seven years before returning to Colorado. There, he held positions as Vice President for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Chief Operating Officer at the nonprofit Americans for Prosperity, and president of his own real estate investment company, according to his campaign website.
Crank’s experience in broadcasting includes hosting “The Jeff Crank Show” in Colorado and the “American Potential Podcast.”
Shortly before the primary, Killin positioned herself within a centrist Democratic movement. She joined an initiative that described its signatories as “capitalist, not socialist,” and highlighted key policy areas such as public safety, fiscal responsibility, secure borders, and national pride.
In a separate statement during an online news conference, Killin expressed her views on candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, stating that they “should not be the face of our party,” according to the local news outlet Colorado Politics.
