COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – In case you missed it, Jessica Killin raised over twice as much as incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Crank in the third quarter. Colorado’s 5th District is the fastest-trending Democratic district in the country. 

Jessica Killin’s background as a U.S. Army veteran, public servant, mom, and fourth-generation Coloradan, along with her ability to raise the resources to run a forceful campaign, is making this district one of the most competitive in the country. 

Congressman Jeff Crank has taken notice, and his campaign spent $37,000 on a poll in September, indicating that he is well aware that this is now a competitive seat. 

Read the highlights of the third quarter fundraising numbers below:

Colorado Sun: What we found in Colorado candidates’ quarterly campaign finance reports

Jesse Paul, Brian Eason, and Taylor Dolven wrote:

“We’ve told you previously that the 5th Congressional District is a race to watch next year, and the quarterly campaign finance numbers from the district reflect as much.

“Democrat Jessica Killin, who is running to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, raised more than $1 million during the quarter, starting October with nearly $800,000 in cash on hand.

“Killin, an Army veteran and the former chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is running a longshot bid to unseat Crank in a district that has never elected a Democrat. But her strong fundraising numbers, fueled by a national network of donors, are raising eyebrows in Colorado and beyond.

“Crank, meanwhile, is raising and spending money like he’s facing a real threat next year — not like someone seeking reelection in a district that has never elected a Democrat.

“The congressman raised about $400,000 last quarter and spent about $150,000, ending September with nearly $800,000 in the bank.

“One spending line item from Crank that caught our eye: $37,000 to Public Opinion Strategies for polling on Sept. 19.”

Colorado Public Radio: Colorado’s congressional incumbents, Democratic challengers pull in strong fundraising numbers

Caitlyn Kim wrote:

“In the 5th Congressional District, currently represented by freshman Republican Jeff Crank, Democrat Jessica Killin reported raising over $1 million. The former Army veteran and aide to Doug Emhoff ended September with more than $775,000 cash on hand. 

“There are other Democrats in the primary field, but none came close to her fundraising haul. Joe Reagan raised over $45,000, with $30,000 coming from a loan he made to his campaign. Jamey Smith reported raising just over $25,000, while Zuri Horowitz reported raising just over $10,000 and ended the quarter with just under $1,000.

“Crank, who won his seat by 14 points in 2024, reported raising just over $500,000 and ended the quarter with just under $780,000. About half of Crank’s haul came from individuals. He raised $144,000 from PACs and just over $100,000 from a joint fundraising committee.

“These numbers mean Crank and Killin head into the next fundraising quarter neck and neck, in terms of war chests.”

Roll Call: 4 takeaways from Senate and House fundraising reports for the third quarter

Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari, and Ryan Kelly wrote:

“At least seven House members in races considered competitive by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales were outraised by an opponent in the third quarter. 

“In Colorado, Republican freshman Jeff Crank was outraised by Democrat Jessica Killin, who served as chief of staff to Doug Emhoff when he was second gentleman. Killin raised $1 million to the congressman’s $502,000.”

The Denver Post: Democrats again raise big bucks in hopes of unseating Lauren Boebert from Congress; Gabe Evans holds his own in CD8

Nick Coltrain wrote:

“In the El Paso County-based 5th Congressional District, Democrat Jessica Killin doubled the haul of incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank. The Republican raised $502,000 in the third quarter to Killin’s more than $1 million since she joined the race in July.

“Crank, who won the open seat by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024, has reported raising about $1.16 million total this cycle. The other Democrats in the race have raised less than $100,000.”

Colorado Newsline: Nearly $20M in campaign cash flows to Colorado Democratic congressional candidates

Chase Woodruff wrote:

“Jessica Killin, an Army veteran and political operative, leads three other candidates for the Democratic nomination the 5th District. Her third-quarter fundraising total of over $1 million was more than double Crank’s reported haul, which Killin said in a statement showed an appetite within the district, which is centered on Colorado Springs, for “new leadership that is responsive to the needs of this community.

“(Crank) lost Space Command, added $4 trillion to the national debt, and continues to put partisanship over the people of the Pikes Peak region,” Killin said. “I’m so grateful for this support that will help us flip Colorado’s 5th district together and restore competence, courage, and character to Washington.”

Jessica Killin’s $1,039,000 third-quarter fundraising is the largest quarterly fundraising haul that any candidate for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District has ever reported. Killin’s strong first quarter in the race positions her well to defeat Republican Jeff Crank in the fastest Democratic-trending district in the country.

About Jessica Killin

A proud fourth-generation Coloradan, Jessica Killin’s life has been shaped by a commitment to service and a deep love for her state and country. Raised in Colorado Springs by public school educators, she learned early the values of hard work and community. After graduating from Falcon High School, Jessica earned an ROTC scholarship and served as a Captain and paratrooper in the U.S. Army, leading soldiers as a Military Police Officer overseas. She has since dedicated her career to improving the livelihoods of all Americans, including over a decade at USAA, where she worked to protect military families during the 2008 financial crisis, streamline VA home loans, and help servicemembers avoid predatory lenders. Jessica is an Army veteran, a public servant, and a devoted mother in a blended family with her husband, Raj, and three children. 

To learn more about Jessica Killin and her campaign, please visit killinforcolorado.com and follow her on Instagram, X, and Facebook.

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