Killin wins hotly contested 5th District race
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Jeff Crank, left. Jessica Killin, right. Photos: Getty Images
In a historic upset, Democrat Jessica Killin unseated Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado's 5th Congressional District seat, flipping a longtime GOP stronghold.
Why it matters: Killin's victory marks the first time a Democrat will represent El Paso County in Congress.
- The win boosted the party's new majority in the U.S. House and showcased how the once ruby-red county is becoming a political battleground as it grows.
Driving the news: Preliminary figures showed Killin captured 50.6% of the vote to Crank's 46%.
- The Associated Press called the race at 12:39pm Thursday.
What she's saying: "From me, you will get representation that is accountable, open-minded, accessible, focused on selfless service, results-driven, and responsive to everyone in this community regardless of political affiliation or background," she said in a statement after being declared the winner.
The big picture: Killin, an Army veteran and former chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, followed the Democratic playbook in making President Trump her campaign's foil while hammering Republicans over rising costs.
- She defied election forecasters who favored Crank, a first-term lawmaker and former conservative radio host.
- Killin raised about $5 million, about twice Crank's haul, fueling a TV ad blitz and one of the most robust Democratic campaigns in the state.
By the numbers: Republicans entered the race with a sizable registration advantage in El Paso County, outnumbering Democrats by roughly 55,000 voters.
Between the lines: Killin's background gave her an opening to reach veterans and other voters in a county that's home to five major military installations.
- Her messages to voters also targeted Crank over his hesitancy to release the Epstein files, featuring relatives of victim Virginia Giuffre.
- She criticized the Iran war as reckless and attacked Trump's tax law over Medicaid cuts.
What we're watching: How Killin navigates Congress as a freshman Democrat representing a historically conservative district while Trump remains in the White House.