In battle for GOP's soul, Jeff Crank beats Trump-backed Dave Williams in Colorado's 5th District

Jeff Crank defeated the controversial leader of the state Republican Party to claim victory in the 5th Congressional District seat based in Colorado Springs.

Why it matters: The race represented a battle for the soul of the Colorado Republican Party, and in the GOP-heavy district, the winner is almost assuredly headed to Congress.

Driving the news: Crank won 66% in preliminary results posted at 11:45pm. The Associated Press projected him as the winner minutes after polls closed at 7pm.

• His primary challenger, former state Rep. Dave Williams , who was endorsed by Trump, received 34%.

The big picture: Crank's victory is a big win for establishment Republicans against the firebrand Williams in a race that drew national attention.

• The contest attracted more than $2.4 million in outside spending, most of it to support Crank, a former strategist with Americans for Prosperity, the Koch-backed conservative group that opposes Trump.
• The bulk of the spending in support of Crank came from America Leads Action, a conservative super PAC backed by Walmart heir and Denver Broncos co-owner Rob Walton, the Colorado Sun reports. AFP Action added another $476,000 to help his cause.

The other side: Williams' defeat is a major blow for the embattled state GOP chairman, who led with a pugnacious Trump-style approach since taking the position in March 2023.

• He is facing demands to resign his post — for the second time in less than 15 months — after his call to "burn all pride flags" and move to purge conservatives who don't align with Trump from the state party's leadership ranks.

The intrigue: The state party spent $20,000 on a mailer promoting Williams and attacking his opponent, an unusual step that drew concerns about insider dealing.

What's next: In November, Crank will face a long-shot Democratic challenge from River Gassen or Joe Reagan who were deadlocked in the party's primary election, separated by less than 100 votes.

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