$5.6 Million Raised by Killin as 5th District Race Nears $10 Million Mark

Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Killin has raised $5.6 million for her bid to represent Colorado's 5th Congressional District, according to campaign filings through Oct. 14. Her opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, has raised $3 million for his reelection campaign. The figures show a shift in spending patterns compared to the 2024 election, when outside groups largely stayed out of the general race.

The district is now the focus of intense advertising. Through Monday morning, OpenSecrets data shows $7 million in outside spending in the 5th District. This follows $32 million spent in Colorado's 8th District, which remains the state's most expensive race. Most of the money in the 5th District supports Crank. The No Going Back PAC has spent $2.5 million, while Conservatives for American Excellence and Americans for Prosperity Action have each spent $1 million.

Democratic groups have poured resources into the race for the first time. The House Majority PAC has spent $700,000 to help Killin. American Bridge 21st Century and Women Vote have each spent $500,000. Killin has spent roughly $5 million of the funds she raised, which includes more than $1 million in personal money.

The spending reflects a change in the district's political makeup. El Paso County has seen a rise in unaffiliated voters since 2020, when they became the largest share of the electorate. They now make up 53% of the 5th District's voters. In 2024, Crank won by 14 percentage points. Trump won the county by about 10 points. Polls now show Killin and Crank in a statistical tie.

Democratic leaders are treating the race as a national signal. Rep. Joe Neguse told a rally crowd in Colorado Springs that the outcome of the 5th District mirrors the fate of the U.S. House. He noted that a win would send a message about voter sentiment toward President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. The party views the 8th District as necessary for House control, but sees the 5th District as a statement on the broader political mood.

Crank's campaign has kept a lower profile on the ground. His adviser Nick Trainer suggested in a written statement that Killin kept a home in Washington, D.C., because she expected to lose. Killin's campaign manager, Emily Dalgleish, said the arrangement allowed Killin's husband to remain close to his children. Killin said she moved back to Colorado last year and registered to vote in July 2025.

Voters at Killin's rally expressed mixed feelings. Ray Taylor, a Democratic voter from Colorado Springs, said the race would be a test. Susan Taylor, a voter from Cascade who supported Joe Reagan in the primary, said she backed Killin over Crank despite preferring a more centrist candidate. She cited a negative experience with Crank's office regarding veterans' issues.

Killin told supporters she may not always vote in a way they love. She said she would explain her votes and answer to the district. She described the current administration as chaotic, corrupt, and lawless. She told the crowd she did not need to tell them how Crank had mishandled the role.

Election Day is approaching. As of Monday night, about 121,000 ballots had been returned in El Paso County. Of those, 43% came from unaffiliated voters, 32% from Republicans, and 23% from Democrats. The unaffiliated group holds the largest share of the district's registered voters.