Jeff Crank, who lost a divisive primary battle for the 5th Congressional District seat from Colorado Springs last year, has filed papers to run against fellow Republican Doug Lamborn in 2008.
Crank’s run, which had been rumored, sets up a showdown between the more conservative wing of the Republican Party in El Paso County.
Crank was a former aide to longtime U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley and was endorsed by Hefley in the primary but still lost to Lamborn.
Lamborn was accused by some Crank supporters of using the Christian Coalition to unfairly tarnish Crank’s conservative credentials, a charge Lamborn denied.
In a statement, Crank said he had his own reasons for running.
“Rather than talk about past campaigns and previous election cycles, I am more interested in facing the challenges that lie ahead for our nation,” Crank said in a letter to supporters released today. “There is much work to be accomplished for America and for our part of Colorado.”
Lamborn could not be reached immediately for comment. In a story published Monday in the Post, the first-term congressman said he was ready for all comers.
“I have a tremendous number of people who love what I’m doing,” Lamborn said. “I am confident that the rank-and-file Republicans know that I am standing up for what they believe in.”
