Primary candidates running for Congressional District 5

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The 2024 Primary Election will soon come to a close on Tuesday, June 25. In El Paso County, Democrats and Republicans are vying to replace Congressman Doug Lamborn who announced his retirement on Jan. 5, 2024.

Republican Party

For the Republican Party, two men are competing to represent the Republican Party in November’s election, GOP Chairman Dave Williams and Radio Host Jeff Crank.

Dave Williams was elected to the chair of the Colorado GOP in 2023 and had previously campaigned for the 5th Congressional District seat in 2022. Williams said he is 100% pro-life, 100% pro-second Amendment, and has never voted for a spending increase. Williams also said he would “fight hard to reduce the power and influence Washington D.C. has taken by returning it to the People and the States.”

Jeff Crank is the host of the American Potential Podcast and Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity. Jeff Crank said he would work to secure the southern border, fix the broken economy, and fight for conservative change, such as supporting the Second Amendment, fighting for lower taxes, and unraveling regulations that would allow “small businesses to flourish, creating jobs and driving economic growth in our state.”

Democratic Party

The Democratic Party has River Gassen and Joe Reagan running to flip the seat from Republican to Democrat.

River Gassen is an educator at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) where she teaches astronomy and solar energy sciences. Gassen said she is running to “make the American dream accessible once again,” saying the opportunities she had growing up are now out of reach for many across the state. Gassen also said she wants to address climate change and invest in children’s education including early childhood and higher education.

Joe Reagan is a veteran and has served in various leadership roles including Director of Military and Veteran Outreach for Wreath Across America and President of New Space Global. Reagan said he would work to protect women’s right to choose, protect democracy, lower the cost of living for working families, ensure VA hospitals and clinics receive adequate funding, and keep communities safe by “fighting for common sense gun safety measures, such as universal background checks.”

Ballots are due to drop off boxes by 7 p.m. Voters can also go to a polling location and vote in person but this must also be done by 7 p.m. A list of voting locations can be found on FOX21 News’ 2024 Primary Election results page.

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