U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn on Tuesday won the four-way Republican primary in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, all but securing his ninth term in Congress.
The Colorado Springs congressman beat out state Rep. Dave Williams, Lone Tree businessman Andrew Heaton and Navy veteran Rebecca Keltie. Since the 5th District, which encompasses much of El Paso County, leans heavily in Republicans’ favor, it’s all but guaranteed Lamborn will go on to win in the general election, too.
Lamborn had 49% of the vote, compared to 33% for Williams, his most formidable challenger, as of 11:11 p.m.
Lamborn has served as the representative for the 5th District since 2007. He has faced primary challengers in the majority of his nine congressional elections.
Lamborn won his primary despite facing recent criticism for allegedly refusing to enforce COVID-19 protocols in his congressional office and for sending staffers on personal tasks. The Office of Congressional Ethics is currently investigating whether Lamborn and his wife misused their office staff and resources for campaign and personal reasons, including to help their son secure employment in Washington, D.C.
Lamborn will face Democratic candidate David Torres in the general election in November.
The Unaffiliated is our twice-weekly newsletter on Colorado politics and policy.
Each edition is filled with exclusive news, analysis and other behind-the-scenes information you won’t find anywhere else. Subscribe today to see what all the buzz is about.
Other congressional primaries
Meanwhile, in the Denver-based 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette easily defeated primary challenger Neal Walia in the safe Democratic district with 84% of the vote as of 11:11 p.m. DeGette is set in November to secure her 14th term in Congress.
In Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, fended off a primary challenge from Bob Lewis, an Elbert County real estate broker, capturing 75% of the vote as of 11:11 p.m. Buck is likely to secure his fifth term in Congress.
Local races in El Paso County
Lamborn’s success followed down the ticket to other El Paso County candidates:
- Incumbent Coroner Leon Kelly, a certified forensic pathologist, won the nomination with 68% of the vote, trouncing challenger Dr. Rae Ann Weber, who received 32%, as of 11:11 p.m.
- El Paso County Undersheriff Joe Roybal easily captured the Republican nomination, with 59% of the vote as of 11:11 p.m. He edged out former border patrol agent Todd Watkins, with 22% of the vote, and Greg Maxwell, security director for the Broadmoor Hotel, who received 18%. Watkins earned the endorsement of those who believe county sheriffs shouldn’t enforce laws with which they disagree. Hen was part of a trend of county sheriff candidates vowing not to enforce certain laws.
- Stephen Schleiker took the nomination for county clerk and recorder. As of 11:11 p.m., he had 66% of the vote compared to 33% for his opponent, Peter Lupia, who falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen and vowed to do away with using machines to tally paper ballots.