Two more Republicans have entered what’s expected to be a crowded race to succeed U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn in the Colorado Springs-based 5th Congressional District.
State Sen. Bob Gardner, a veteran lawmaker from Colorado Springs, is term-limited in the state legislature and confirmed his candidacy to The Denver Post on Wednesday. He is joined in the race by Jeff Crank, a consultant, longtime radio host in Colorado Springs and political activist who ran against Lamborn in 2006 and 2008.
On Monday, Colorado Republican Party chair Dave Williams, who lost to Lamborn in the 2022 primary, announced he is running for the seat and plans to retain his party position through the June primary.
Lamborn, 69, said last week that he would retire at the end of his current term.
Gardner cited as his motivation for running the need for “new leadership, people who are willing to work with their colleagues and across the aisle.” He is an Air Force veteran and lawyer and is one of the longest-tenured current members of the Colorado General Assembly, having served four terms in the state House and now nearly two full terms in the Senate.
“I bring to the table a decade and a half of legislative experience, of both standing for principles and getting things done at the same time,” Gardner said.” At the moment, I’m the only veteran in the race, so I look forward to a race talking about the issues and not of performative politics.”
Jeff Crank discussed his plans Wednesday morning on George Brauchler’s radio show on KNUS-AM in Denver. Crank was a longtime staffer for former U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, who preceded Lamborn in office. More recently he has worked with Americans for Prosperity Colorado, a conservative political group.
“Moving forward, we’ve got to make sure that we have good, solid, conservative leadership in Colorado in the 5th Congressional District,” Crank said. “And we’ve got to rebuild a Republican Party so that we are out there helping win and defeat Democrats — rather than fighting Republicans.”
The last comment was aimed at Williams, who has drawn criticism for using his state party position to settle scores, including with Lamborn. Crank called the Colorado GOP a “dysfunctional” party and pointed to a need for Republicans to unite to address the “crushing” national debt and other problems.
Several Democrats had filed for the race prior to Lamborn’s announcement, but the 5th District heavily favors Republicans. It’s possible that several more candidates will enter the race in coming weeks.
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