2026 Midterms · U.S. House · Colorado Likely
Colorado — 5th District
Democratic
Jessica Killin
Republican
Jeff Crank
Incumbent
The 2026 general election for Colorado's 5th Congressional District features incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Crank running for re-election against Democratic nominee Jessica Killin and four minor-party or unaffiliated candidates. The race hinges on whether Democrats can capitalize on shifting regional demographics and federal policy debates, or if Republicans maintain their historic hold on this Pikes Peak-centered district, where no Democrat has won since its creation in 1972. As of July 2026, major election forecasters rate the contest Likely Republican.
Economy and cost of living
high salienceKillin advocates ending tariffs, capping corporate price hikes, and raising corporate taxes to reduce the deficit, while Crank emphasizes tax reduction, deregulation, and housing supply reforms.
Jessica Killin
Supports ending tariffs and tax reform
Killin advocates for federal policies to reduce daily expenses for middle-class families, including ending tariffs that elevate goods prices and preventing corporate price gouging in energy and food. She advocates for tax reform that raises rates on corporations and wealthy individuals while cutting taxes for working families to restore fiscal balance.
- End irrational tariffs that raise prices on everyday goods
- Prevent oil and grocery CEOs from gouging consumers
- Expand affordable housing and stop corporate landlords from inflating rents
- Require giant corporations and high earners to pay their fair share of taxes
“Jeff Crank’s tax cut for the wealthiest Americans just saddled our children and grandchildren with an additional $4 trillion in debt.”
Jeff Crank
Supports tax cuts and deregulation
Crank emphasizes free-market solutions, tax reductions, and deregulation to spur economic growth and lower inflation. In Congress, he supported federal budget reconciliation legislation and advocates for housing supply expansion by reducing regulatory hurdles.
- Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to oppose tax increases
- Voted Yea on H.R.1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) to address federal spending and tax policy
- Promotes housing affordability through regulatory relief in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
“Republicans are committed to bridging the gap to make homeownership more affordable. By passing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, we are reducing regulation and increasing the housing supply, helping to make homeownership achievable for Americans across the country.”
Healthcare
high salienceKillin promises to repeal federal Medicaid cuts and cap insulin prices, while Crank voted for federal budget reconciliation legislation restructuring health spending.
Jessica Killin
Supports Medicaid protection and drug caps
Killin pledges to lower healthcare costs by reversing federal cuts to Medicaid and expanding Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices. She also supports universal caps on essential medications like insulin and maintaining protections for pre-existing conditions.
- Repeal federal Medicaid cuts that threaten coverage and hospital stability
- Cap insulin prices at $35 for all consumers
- Allow Medicare to negotiate prices on critical prescription drugs
- Protect Medicare solvency and pre-existing condition safeguards
“Instead, Jeff Crank has let his constituents down, voting to kick thousands off healthcare while raising the national debt by trillions.”
Jeff Crank
Voted for federal budget reconciliation
Crank supported House Republican budget reconciliation legislation adjusting federal program spending. His policy approach centers on fiscal discipline and market-driven economic strategies.
- Voted Yea on H.R.1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) setting federal program spending levels
- Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.14 establishing the congressional budget framework
Government reform and ethics
medium salienceKillin proposes banning congressional stock trading and dark money, while Crank focuses on congressional term limits and voter citizenship verification laws.
Jessica Killin
Supports banning stock trading and dark money
Killin proposes structural ethics reforms for federal elected officials and judges, focusing on eliminating financial conflicts of interest and campaign finance reform. Her platform includes restricting congressional stock trades and docking congressional pay when the government shuts down.
- Ban congressional members from trading individual stocks
- End pay for members of Congress during federal government shutdowns
- Establish an independent Congressional Ethics Office
- Overturn Citizens United to eliminate dark money in elections
“I'm running for Congress because Washington needs leaders who are focused on actually getting things done— not partisan name-calling and bitter culture wars.”
Jeff Crank
Supports term limits and SAVE Act
Crank emphasizes voter integrity and legislative accountability through term limits and voting qualifications. In office, he voted for legislation enforcing strict citizen documentation requirements for voting.
- Signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge
- Voted Yea on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship to register for federal elections
- Voted Yea on NORRA of 2025 (H.R. 1526) limiting federal court nationwide injunctions
Veterans and military installations
medium salienceKillin stresses restoring VA staffing and retaining Space Command in Colorado Springs, whereas Crank highlights his position on the Armed Services Committee and local military base advocacy.
Jessica Killin
Supports VA staffing and local aerospace jobs
As an Army veteran and former USAA executive, Killin advocates for fully funding veteran health services and protecting local military installations. She sharply criticizes the federal decision to relocate Space Command away from Colorado Springs and vows to secure regional defense infrastructure.
- Increase clinical staffing and reduce wait times at VA medical facilities
- Restore funding for the 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line
- Protect military families from employment and housing discrimination
- Advocate for keeping Space Command and related aerospace jobs in Colorado Springs
“Jeff Crank failed to do his job and fight to keep Space Command where it belongs in Colorado Springs.”
Jeff Crank
Supports local military bases and veterans
Crank highlights his long-standing work in El Paso County supporting local military installations and veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he focuses on regional national security priorities.
- Assigned to the House Armed Services Committee and three of its subcommittees
- Focuses congressional work on local military installations and veteran needs
- Pledges to collaborate across administrations to secure district assets regardless of executive party
“The question, and I think this will be one in this race, is, does this community just want somebody who’s anti-Trump to fight and push back on Trump? Or do they want somebody who, no matter who the president is, whether it’s Joe Biden or Donald Trump, is going to go try and work to represent this community and get the best things for this community that they can?”
Public lands and environment
medium salienceKillin opposes public land sales and calls for increased conservation funding, while Crank focuses on wildfire mitigation and serves on natural resource subcommittees.
Jessica Killin
Opposes public land sales and boosts conservation
Killin strongly opposes federal proposals to sell Western public lands and advocates for full funding for natural resource management. She supports expanding wildland firefighter resources to combat Colorado forest fires.
- Preserve federal open spaces and oppose efforts to sell public lands
- Ensure full funding for the National Park Service and BLM
- Expand resources and modern strategies for wildland firefighters
“Jeff Crank joined Lauren Boebert in voting to sell our public lands to the highest bidder. Jessica thinks we should protect Colorado’s way of life for future generations.”
Jeff Crank
Supports wildfire resilience and natural resource management
Crank focuses his environmental priorities on community wildfire resilience and Western resource stewardship. He serves on key House Natural Resources subcommittees governing water, minerals, and wildlife.
- Assigned to House Natural Resources Committee subcommittees on Energy and Mineral Resources, and Water, Wildlife and Fisheries
- Prioritizes wildfire resilience measures for 5th District communities
- Promotes Western resource management practices
Border security and immigration
medium salienceCrank advocates for enhanced border enforcement and mandatory deportations for noncitizens accused of crimes, while Killin has not documented an explicit border security platform.
Jeff Crank
Supports strict border controls and deportations
Crank considers securing the southern border a top national priority, linking illegal border crossings to drug trafficking and community safety. In Congress, he voted for mandatory detention and deportation measures for noncitizens accused of criminal activity.
- Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) mandating detention of noncitizens arrested for theft or burglary
- Voted Yea on H.R. 875 making DUI offenses grounds for noncitizen deportation
- Identifies stopping illegal immigration as the top priority for House Republicans
“The Biden-Harris Administration's open door at our southern border is at crisis levels. The first priority for every Republican in Congress must be stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into our Country.”
Abortion and social issues
low salienceCrank takes a pro-life stance and voted to restrict transgender female participation in female sports, whereas Killin has no documented platform on abortion or social policy in available sources.
Jeff Crank
Opposes abortion and supports sports restrictions
Crank identifies as a pro-life advocate and conservative on social issues. In Congress, he voted to prohibit male-to-female transgender individuals from participating in female school sports programs.
- Identifies as a proud pro-life advocate
- Voted Yea on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28)