August 13, 2008 04:41 AM UTC

Lamborn To Bumble Onward, Bruce Gets Gonged

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: Jeff Crank concedes. Gazette:

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn held a decisive lead over two challengers, with 46 percent of the vote after early and mail-in ballots results were released soon after the polls closed in today’s Republican primary for the 5th Congressional District.

Lamborn with 15,971 was more than 6,000 votes ahead of Jeff Crank who was in second at 9,920. Bentley Rayburn was in third place with 8,814.

Crank conceded about 8 p.m., calling Lamborn to congratulate him on his victory. “This is Doug’s night,” Crank said. “He deserves the victory. He’s worked hard for it.” Crank said he had no plans to run again.

The race is a rematch of 2006, when Lamborn defeated Crank and Rayburn in the GOP primary and went on to defeat Democrat Jay Fawcett to win the seat that had been held by Republican Joel Hefley for 20 years. The winner of the Republican primary this year will face Democrat Had Bidlack in November…

Breaking Colorado Springs Gazette: Early voting, mail-in results show Lamborn, Waller, May in lead.

5th Congressional District, El Paso County

Jeff Crank – 9,920 votes, 28.58%

Bentley Rayburn – 8,814, 25.40%

Doug Lamborn – 15,971, 46.02%

State Representative, District 15

Mark Waller – 2,998 votes, 54.61%

Douglas Bruce – 2,492, 45.39%