Republican candidate Jeff Crank has won the Republican primary to replace retiring Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), dealing a blow to Donald Trump, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ.
Crank, a board member of the Koch family-backed Americans for Prosperity, is endorsed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and defeated state GOP Chairman Dave Williams, who was endorsed by President Trump, in the Republican primary for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District.
The primary revealed stark divisions among hardline conservatives. Williams has been embroiled in controversy since taking control of the state GOP, drawing criticism from within the party and a complaint from the Federal Election Commission over funds used to promote his House bid.
The tipping point for some in the party came earlier this month when Williams and the state party posted anti-LGBTQ content, including from the state Republican Party. Post to X The post, which read “Burn all #Pride flags this June,” prompted Republicans to call for him to step down.
For now, Williams’ fate as state Republican Party chairman remains undecided.
Trump won the 5th district by 10 points in 2020, making Crank the favorite to win in November’s election.
