Jessica Killin Defeats Jeff Crank by 4.6 Points in Colorado
The Democrat ends a 54 year streak of Republican control in the 5th Congressional District, capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction with rising costs.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Democrat Jessica Killin defeated incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Crank in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District on Thursday. The Associated Press called the race for Killin at 12:38 p.m., confirming her victory as she led by nearly five percentage points.
Killin secured 50.6% of the vote compared to Crank’s 46%. Libertarian candidate Mark Elworth Jr. finished in third place with 1.8% of the total. The Associated Press made its call two days after polls closed, finalizing a result that broke a long standing pattern in the district.
The district had not elected a Democrat since its creation 54 years ago. In the previous cycle, Crank defeated his Democratic opponent by a 14 point margin. President Donald Trump also carried El Paso County by roughly 10 points two years ago, indicating a previous leaning toward the Republican party in the region.
Killin cited the economy and foreign policy as primary drivers for voters. She identified finding a way out of the Iran War, addressing Trump tariffs, and strengthening the healthcare system as her top priorities. She described the victory as surreal and pledged to hold quarterly in-person town halls to maintain accessibility for constituents.
Voters in Colorado Springs expressed frustration over the cost of living. Frederick McDaniel, a 74-year-old Democrat, noted that his grocery bill for a set of items rose from $40 to $88 in eighteen months. Alex Steadman, a 60-year-old independent, stated that the choice to vote Democrat was easy due to the current economic climate.
The race was the second most expensive congressional contest in Colorado this year. Super PACs spent more than $7 million, with the majority of funds supporting Crank. Killin raised approximately $5.6 million through mid-October, including over $1 million from personal funds, and spent roughly $5 million. Crank reported raising about $3 million and spending $2.5 million through October 14.
Killin, a former Army veteran and lawyer, served as chief of staff to Doug Emhoff and as deputy assistant to President Joe Biden. She registered to vote in Colorado in July 2025 and launched her campaign shortly after. Crank, a former staffer for Representative Joel Hefley, had previously run unsuccessfully for Congress in 2006 and 2008 before winning the seat in 2024.
