Dave Williams, the sharp-elbowed chair of the Colorado Republican Party, said Monday that he will run to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn and plans to retain his party position during the primary.
Williams’ announcement comes three days after the nine-term congressman from Colorado Springs said he won’t seek reelection in November.
“After thoughtful consideration, prayer, and reflection with my family, I’ve decided to run for Congress in the 5th Congressional District after the surprise retirement of Congressman Doug Lamborn,” Williams wrote in a message sent to the state party’s email list.
Williams is the first Republican to jump into the race to replace Lamborn. A conservative former state legislator, Williams unsuccessfully challenged Lamborn in a 2022 primary in which Williams tried, and failed, to add the words “Let’s Go Brandon” — an anti-Joe Biden slogan — as his nickname on the ballot. He came in second to Lamborn, winning 33.5% of the vote.
He wrote that he planned to remain in his position as state party chair at least through the primary election in June; he was elected to the position last March. That decision, coupled with Williams’ use of the official state party email list to announce his candidacy, prompted criticism from some Republicans on Monday.
Kristi Burton Brown, the state party chair prior to Williams and a target of frequent criticisms from her successor, called it “highly unethical” for him to remain chair while competing in a primary.
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck served a two-year stint as state party chair during his time in Congress, although he was already an elected congressman by the time he became chair in 2019. Bob Beauprez resigned as state party chair in 2002 to run for Congress, according to Dick Wadhams, who also later served in the role.
As a legislator and now as Republican Party chair, Williams has established himself as an enthusiastic supporter of former President Donald Trump. He’s displayed a penchant for attacking fellow Republicans he doesn’t consider to be conservative enough, including Lamborn, using party resources.
Williams also has embraced Trump’s baseless conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 election win, and he’s backed fellow election-deniers such as Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk.
Lamborn’s retirement means all three Republican-held congressional seats in Colorado will have a new representative next January, though one incumbent, Lauren Boebert, is switching districts to run for the Eastern Plains seat being vacated by Buck.
Lamborn’s seat is one of the safest Republican seats in the state. The area is also home to several prominent Republican officials, meaning the primary election in June will likely be competitive and will give the winner the inside track to serve in Congress.
Former Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams told The Denver Post on Friday that he was seriously considering running for the seat. Several Democrats already had registered to run against Lamborn.
Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.
