Two candidates vying to become the newest face in nearly two decades to represent Colorado’s 5th Congressional District will likely present starkly dissimilar views on the issues as voters prepare to head back to the ballot box this fall.

Republican Jeff Crank, a former talk radio host and executive with the Koch network-backed Americans For Prosperity, and Democrat River Gassen, an educator and scientist, are the likely major party nominees who will face off in the Nov. 5 general election to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican. 

Results from the June 25 primary in which Crank won big and Gassen narrowly have not yet been certified. 

For nine terms, since 2006, Lamborn has held the seat in the heavily right-leaning district that covers most of El Paso County and includes Colorado Springs.

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In the primaries, Crank focused his message on fiscal conservatism as well as curbing immigration and closing the nation’s southern border. Gassen, meanwhile, has stated Americans should embrace immigrants and has championed issues like reproductive rights, affordable child care and public education.

“I think Gassen and Crank give voters a real choice,” said Sara Hagedorn, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. “They are both very different candidates who see government issues very differently.”

The GOP primary race three weeks ago again highlighted an ongoing split in the Republican party, though Crank overwhelmed his opponent, embattled Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams, by 30 points. 

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Williams has faced criticism for using state party resources to support his campaign, including sending mailers from Colorado Republicans attacking Crank while supporting Williams.

Since January, Williams has also endured calls from members of his own party to resign his position as their state chairman. Those demands grew in recent weeks after he sent out party emails and social media posts attacking the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month and after he lost the congressional primary.

Crank told The Gazette he will continue campaigning for fiscal conservatism and secure national borders in the 16 weeks ahead of the general election, issues he said spurred people to vote in the primary. He believes Republicans will rally behind him come November, despite his rivalry with Williams. 

Jeff Crank trounces Dave Williams in GOP primary in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District

“Primaries are always difficult; that’s just the nature of it. I see no reason why Republicans wouldn’t unify and support me in the general election,” he said.

Crank’s priority, and that of Republican voters in the 5th Congressional District, he said, is to ensure the seat remains Republican. Since it was created in 1972, it is the only Colorado district that has never elected a Democrat.

“I think I’m a good fit for voters in this district. In general, they want a limited role for the federal government and they want to see changes in the economy because people are suffering through inflation right now. People in our district want someone who is going to be a conservative voice for them,” he said.

As demographics and voter trends continue changing locally, Gassen believes it’s time for a new kind of representation in the district, and said she’s the candidate most suited to it.

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For example, data from the 2020 U.S. Census show Colorado Springs as diversifying, compared to 2010. The Hispanic population grew rapidly throughout most of the city, and more Black residents moved into Colorado Springs’ growing northeastern and eastern sections.

There are also now more unaffiliated voters in El Paso County than those affiliated with major or minor parties, and about 45,000 additional registered, active voters in the county than there were during the 2020 primary elections, data from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office show.

“I see Crank as a Lamborn 2.0,” said Gassen, noting that Crank earned Lamborn’s endorsement in the race. “I think November is a good opportunity for us to break that cycle and show that we are a … moderate, middle-ground district. I think Colorado Springs really represents the average of our nation, but we are more resilient. I think that’s something I’m going to be able to represent.”

Gassen said she planned to build on the momentum of her likely primary election win. The first-time political candidate overtook her opponent in the Democratic primary race, military veteran Joe Reagan, after he maintained a narrow lead for much of the evening on primary election night.

She also believes she can win Republicans who may feel disenfranchised in their party, pointing to the contention between Crank and Williams.

She will continue campaigning on issues like universal child care and boosting public school funding, issues she said that are “going to be best for our future.” She also cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, declaring there is no longer constitutional right to abortion, as an issue she wants to fight.

“We’re kind of in danger here and I think people are seeing that,” she said.

As they campaign for the general election, candidates will need to court unaffiliated voters across the district, Hagedorn said.

Unaffiliated voters in El Paso County claim the majority

Local politicos and elections officials have said many independents broke away from the major Republican and Democrat parties because they generally feel exasperated with them. However, being unaffiliated does not mean a person’s voting habits have changed, Hagedorn said. 

“Those voters are probably either your most liberal or conservative, and they have stepped away from their parties because they don’t like what their party is doing. But just because they’re unaffiliated does not mean that they don’t lean a certain way,” she said.

Crank has the benefit of name recognition, has worked in the district for many years and knows what issues voters care about, Hagedorn said. For example, Crank lost previous primary elections for the 5th Congressional District in 2006 and 2008 to Lamborn.

Gassen’s challenge will be fundraising and wooing enough unaffiliated voters. Republicans make up 30% of all active, registered voters in El Paso County and Democrats make up 17%, according to clerk and recorder’s data.

“To get up above Crank, she will need to get that plurality of voters,” Hagedorn said.

Though voters will have choice among their presumptive major party candidates in Crank and Gassen, Hagedorn doesn’t yet believe a political flip is in the cards for the district.

“This district has always been a Republican district, so I do not see that changing this time. But I don’t think we’re going to see a runaway (election) in November,” she said.

What will keep the race close?

“Changing voter demographics in the 5th Congressional District; 50,000 new voters since 2020; and more unaffiliated voters,” Hagedorn predicts.

In the end, she said voters will do what they always do: choose the candidate they believe will best represent them.

“They’re going to be looking for someone who knows the district, someone who has been here, someone who knows their interests and can take the preferences of the people of Congressional District 5 to Washington, D.C.,” she said.