By Sandra Fish | The Colorado Sun
The Republican primary in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District is becoming a battle for the soul of the GOP, with conservative groups spending $1.3 million and counting to beat state party chairman Dave Williams, who has been endorsed by Donald Trump.
Williams is running against conservative commentator and activist Jeff Crank, who has been endorsed by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, in the El Paso County district where U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, is retiring at the end of his ninth term. Whoever wins the primary is almost certain to win the general election in the highly Republican district.
That’s why the 5th District spending by outside political groups, more than what’s spent by outside groups in any of the state’s other congressional primaries this year, is so notable. It’s not to help the GOP win in November — it’s to shape the direction of the party at the state and federal levels.