Primary races take shape in El Paso County
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Both major political parties are in the throes of primary season, choosing which candidates to put on June's primary ballot, and setting the stage for the November general election.
Why it matters: In predominantly Republican El Paso County, many races are effectively decided in the primary, making June one of the year's most consequential votes.
Zoom in: The key Colorado Springs races:
5th Congressional District:
Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank faced a nasty 2024 primary to secure his seat. This year, he's unopposed and focused on November.
- "I think I'm a good fit for the district," Crank told Axios. "I'm not a bomb-thrower trying to get my name in the paper."
Yes, but: Democrats see a rare opening in the longtime GOP stronghold, fueling a crowded primary.
Two candidates, Jessica Killin and Joe Reagan, came out of the Democratic assembly with enough support to make the primary ballot.
- Killin is an Army veteran and former chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
- Reagan is also an Army veteran and a nonprofit executive.
House District 16:
GOP Rep. Rebecca Keltie won in 2024 by just three votes, then declined to run again, setting up a primary contest between Jill Haffley and Jamie Koch.
- Democrat Stephanie Vigil, who won the seat in 2022 and lost in 2024, will return to face the winner in November.
El Paso County Commissioner District 5:
The more competitive of the two county commissioner seats has primaries in both parties.
- Voters face a choice between two Democrats: former Colorado Springs Councilmember Yolanda Avila and El Paso Young Democrats organizer Christian Seale.
The other side: Incumbent Republican Lauren Nelson was appointed last June to replace Cami Bremer after serving on the District 11 school board.
Former county GOP chair Vickie Tonkins repeatedly sought the District 5 office and successfully made her way onto the primary ballot at the county assembly.
- "There's the one who has been doing the job and the one who is a known commodity and has her supporters," El Paso County Republican Party chair Ken Davis told Axios. "It's going to be a close race."
Context: El Paso County Democrats chair John Jarrell said 2023 redistricting made District 5 more competitive.
- If Democrats win District 5, "it'll be the first time Dems will have a seat since the 1970s," he told Axios.
Other county races: Several countywide seats — including coroner and treasurer — are uncontested by Democrats this cycle. One exception: sheriff.
- Mateo Montoya-Collis, a career police officer will face incumbent Sheriff Joseph Roybal.
What we're watching: Both parties will hold statewide assemblies in Pueblo — Democrats this Saturday and the GOP on April 11 — where delegates compete for top ballot placement.
The intrigue: Jarrell noted a "No Kings" rally planned in Pueblo the same day as the Democrats' state assembly, so "if [the assembly] runs smoothly, there could be an opportunity for delegates to participate."
What's next: Primary ballots start arriving June 8.