Jessica Killin wins 5th Congressional District race

Jessica Killin won the Democratic nomination Tuesday in Colorado's 5th Congressional District race, defeating Joe Reagan and giving Democrats their preferred challenger against Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in November.

Why it matters: Killin's victory sets up a general election fight in one of Colorado's reddest congressional districts — one Democrats see as newly competitive.

Driving the news: Killin led Reagan with 63% to 37%, based on early returns posted by the Secretary of State's Office.

AP called the race for Killin at 7:47pm, less than an hour after polls closed.

State of play: Killin turned the race into a test of electability, leaning on her military service, national Democratic support and fundraising advantage.

Killin, a Colorado Springs native and Army veteran, served as a captain and paratrooper and later worked as chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Reagan, also an Army veteran, argued he was better positioned after narrowly losing the 2024 Democratic primary and building a résumé in small business and nonprofit work.

The big picture: Democrats are betting that veteran candidates can compete in GOP-held districts by appealing to military families, unaffiliated voters and disaffected Republicans — a strategy Killin will test in a district that includes multiple military installations.

The other side: U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank was unopposed for the Republican nomination.