Jessica Killin won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, defeating fellow veteran Joe Reagan and securing the party’s nomination for the fall, according to the Associated Press. The outcome sets up a general election contest against GOP Rep. Jeff Crank in a district centered on Colorado Springs that includes large military communities.
Jessica Killin wins the Democratic primary
Jessica Killin prevailed in the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 5th, beating Joe Reagan and emerging as the party’s standard-bearer for November, the Associated Press reported. The result immediately focused national attention on a district Democrats see as increasingly competitive despite its Republican lean.
Who is Jessica Killin
Killin is a former Army captain and former chief of staff to the second gentleman Doug Emhoff. She positioned herself as a pragmatic Democrat during the primary, emphasizing public safety, fiscal responsibility and veteran issues while distancing herself from far-left factions of the party.
In campaign remarks reported by Colorado Politics, Killin signed a pledge described by its backers as “capitalist, not socialist” and told the outlet that candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America “should not be the face of our party.” Those remarks were part of her broader pitch to moderate and independent voters in the district.
Her background as a former Army captain and as former chief of staff to the second gentleman gives Killin a profile that national Democrats believe can appeal to the district’s sizable military and veteran population. The campaign has highlighted her service and operational experience while building a message focused on local economic growth, veteran services and pragmatic governance.
Jeff Crank and the Republican side
Incumbent Rep. Jeff Crank ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is seeking a second term representing a district anchored in Colorado Springs and most of El Paso County. Crank’s career includes seven years as a Capitol Hill staffer and later roles in Colorado Springs civic and business organizations.
Crank has worked with the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and served in senior roles at organizations such as Americans for Prosperity, and he maintains a local media presence through civic-facing programs and podcasts. His campaign is expected to stress experience, conservative fiscal priorities and ties to the military communities that anchor the district.
Why this race matters in Colorado’s 5th
Colorado’s 5th District remains a Republican-leaning seat, but demographic and political shifts have narrowed margins in recent election cycles. The district is centered on Colorado Springs and most of El Paso County and includes major military installations such as Fort Carson and the United States Air Force Academy, making veteran and active-duty turnout a central factor.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Killin to its Red to Blue program, a sign of national investment that brings strategic staff support, advertising and fundraising help to competitive House races. National attention is tied to local trends: The Colorado Sun reported that Donald Trump’s margin in El Paso County shrank from roughly 22 points in 2016 to about 10 points in 2024, a shift that encourages Democrats to contest seats previously seen as safely Republican.
For Democrats, the combination of a veteran-backed nominee and concentrated outreach in military and suburban precincts creates an opportunity to press a competitive general election campaign. For Republicans, holding the seat will depend on maintaining turnout among conservative voters and the district’s base of active-duty and veteran households.
What comes next
The DCCC’s Red to Blue inclusion means Killin’s campaign will likely receive boosted resources through the summer and fall: expanded field teams, targeted digital and TV advertising, and broader fundraising outreach. That support is designed to help build name recognition and a ground operation capable of competing across dispersed suburban and military communities.
Key tests ahead include mid-summer fundraising reports, early advertising buys, candidate debates or forums, and how the campaigns perform in veteran and military precincts around Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy. Local turnout, especially among veterans and active-duty families, will be decisive in a district where margins have tightened.
Crank’s campaign will be tested on its ability to hold the GOP coalition and to translate incumbency and local ties into sustained turnout. Killin will be judged on whether national resources can translate into local organization and whether her message can peel off independent and moderate Republican voters in the district’s suburbs and military neighborhoods.
Campaign event in Colorado Springs
FAQ
Who is Jessica Killin?
Jessica Killin is a former Army captain and former chief of staff to the second gentleman Doug Emhoff. She won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 5th and has been added to the DCCC’s Red to Blue program.
Who is Jeff Crank?
Jeff Crank is the Republican incumbent representing Colorado’s 5th District, seeking a second term. He spent seven years as a Capitol Hill staffer and later held leadership roles in local civic and business organizations.
What does DCCC Red to Blue mean for the race?
Red to Blue signals national Democratic interest and brings increased resources — staff, fundraising and advertising — to the candidate. It raises the profile and operational capacity of the campaign but does not guarantee a win.
Primary result: Associated Press. Local voting analysis: The Colorado Sun. Reporting on candidate remarks: Colorado Politics.
