Candidates say the darnedest things when they’re in a six-way Republican primary in one of Colorado’s more conservative congressional districts, the 5th.
The prize is tantamount to election: The district reliably elects Republicans, and job security for the winner is high. Retiring incumbent Joel Hefley has served for 20 years.
Here’s a taste for some of the rhetoric in the district, which centers on Colorado Springs but also includes Cañon City and parts of some mountain counties:
“We need to get rid of the IRS,” said Jeff Crank, a former Hefley aide considered to be a top contender.
“I’m in favor of doing away with the minimum wage,” argued Duncan Bremer, a former El Paso County commissioner.
“You don’t want all of these people here,” former El Paso County Sheriff John Anderson said of illegal immigrants.
Rounding out the combatants are Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera and state Sen. Doug Lamborn, considered top competitors along with Crank, and Bentley Rayburn, a retired Air Force general.
In a race where most candidates are jostling to move to the right of one another, personal attacks are part of the mix.
The biggest stink has been raised by a luridly illustrated brochure from the Christian Coalition of Colorado, which blasts “Jeff Crank’s and Lionel Rivera’s public support for members and efforts of the homosexual agenda.”
Some of his opponents suspect Lamborn is behind the charge, and GOP state Senate leader Andy McElhany, a Crank backer, sent out an e-mail saying, “Doug Lamborn will do or say anything to get elected.” Two Lamborn volunteers have crossed over to work for Crank. Lamborn denies involvement.
Crank, Bremer and Anderson signed a pledge to run clean campaigns. Rayburn said his 1971 oath upon entering the Air Force commits him to high ethical standards. Rivera and Lamborn are keeping their campaign options open.
It’s all part of the rich dynamic of a wide-open congressional race. 5th District Republicans are lucky to have an engaging race and an ample field, things rare these days in most congressional districts.
And yes, there is a Democratic candidate to take on the winner of the Aug. 8 GOP primary – Jay Fawcett. Asked during a recent Cañon City forum if he was uncomfortable sitting there, surrounded by so many Republicans, Fawcett, a 30-year Air Force veteran, said, “Fighters call this a target-rich environment.”
