May 06, 2024 11:54 AM UTC

Doug Lamborn Endorses Jeff Crank in CO-05

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• by: Colorado Pols

Congressman Doug Lamborn today announced his “total endorsement” — not just 90% of an endorsement — for his successor in CO-05. And the winner, we guess, is Jeff Crank!

Said Lamborn in a statement:

“The good people of El Paso County have put their trust in me for nearly two decades to represent them in our nation’s capitol, and for that I am grateful. I’ve been watching the campaign to succeed me in Congress. It’s clear that our community would be better served with Jeff in Congress. I know that Jeff will represent our conservative values in Washington. He’ll pick up my fight to secure our southern border, continue the push to fix Biden’s broken economy, and stand proudly with our veteran and military community. With critical issues facing us in Washington, D.C., like the future of Space Command, it is vital that we elect a U.S. Representative with credibility.”

That last line is the big takeaway: “It is vital that we elect a U.S. Representative with credibility.” This is a clear shot at Dave Williams, Crank’s opponent in June’s Republican Primary Election. Williams is currently serving as the Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, which he has used mostly as a vehicle to advance his own personal and political interests. This has included using the State GOP to endorse his pals — and himself — in Congressional Primary Elections while he directs State GOP resources to blast his Republican enemies.

Lamborn did a whole lot of nothing in his nine terms in Congress — so little, in fact, that his staff struggled to draft a list of Lamborn’s “Top 10 Congressional Accomplishments.” Lamborn also regularly faced Republican Primary opponents — including Williams in 2022 and Crank in 2006 and 2008 — so there’s not a great deal of love for ol’ Doug in Colorado Springs.

Still, we guess you’d rather have Lamborn’s endorsement than not. It’s just not obvious what it might mean for Crank from a practical perspective. This could change if Lamborn decides to get more aggressive leading up to the June 25th Primary Election by teasing out additional concerns related to Williams’ shady behavior as Party Chair.

Ironically, Lamborn’s predecessor refused to endorse him for Congress in 2006. Then-Rep. Joel Hefley wouldn’t even back Lamborn after the latter had secured a Republican Primary victory, calling his campaign “dishonest” and “sleazy.”

The real losers here are the voters of CO-05, who once again are left to choose the best of the worst options.