Democrat Jessica Killin defeats incumbent US Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado's 5th District race

Jessica Alvarado Gamez and Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post on Nov 5, 2026

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DENVER — Democrat Jessica Killin has defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, flipping a historically Republican seat in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race at 12:38 p.m. Thursday, when Killin had 50.6% of the vote, compared to Crank’s 46%.

Her victory marks a major shift for the district, which serves the Colorado Springs area and has long sent Republicans to Congress.

Killin, 53, a former U.S. Army captain and chief of staff to former second gentleman Doug Emhoff, won the Democratic nomination by defeating Joe Reagan in June. Crank, 59, ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

The race drew national attention as Democrats sought to flip the seat amid declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump. The district, has never elected a Democrat to Congress in its more than 50-year history.

Campaign finance reports filed through Oct. 14 showed Killin had raised more than $5.5 million, compared with more than $2.8 million for Crank.

Killin, a fourth-generation Coloradan, grew up in Colorado Springs, where her parents worked as public school educators. Her campaign has focused on lowering costs for families, increasing accountability among elected officials and making herself more accessible to constituents, including through regular, in-person town halls.

Crank, who was elected to Congress in 2024, was born and raised in southern Colorado. His mother was an elementary school teacher’s aide, and his father was a World War II Navy veteran.

Crank has highlighted homeownership affordability and his work on the House Armed Services Committee as priorities. He has also said he wants to build on the savings included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and direct more money to taxpayers rather than the federal government.

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