Candidate Q&A: Colorado’s 5th Congressional District

Coloradans will vote in primary elections June 30 to determine which candidates will represent their party in the general election in November.

The elections cover Colorado’s four statewide constitutional offices, one U.S. Senate seat, all eight of the state’s congressional districts, state legislative districts and other races. Colorado Newsline sent questionnaires to candidates in contested primary races and is publishing responses as part of its voter guide to help Coloradans make informed choices.

Colorado’s 5th Congressional District is represented by Jeff Crank, a Colorado Springs Republican who is running for reelection with no primary challenger. Jessica Killin and Joe Reagan are running in the Democratic primary, and whoever wins that race at the end of June will face Crank in November.

The 5th District is centered on Colorado Springs and leans Republican.

Ballots were scheduled to be mailed to all registered voters in Colorado starting June 8.

Voters can contact their county clerk if they have not received their ballot or check the online BallotTrax system. They can also visit the secretary of state’s website to make a plan to vote in person ahead of or on Election Day. Ballots need to be received by the county clerk by 7 p.m. on that day, so voters should mail their ballot at least eight days ahead of time or drop it off in person.

Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, Democrats

Jessica Killin

Age: 52

City of residence: Colorado Springs

Occupation: Public servant

Joe Reagan

Age: 44

City of residence: Colorado Springs

Occupation: Nonprofit director

What do residents in your district say is the biggest issue, and how will you work to address it?

KILLIN: We have an affordability crisis here in El Paso County. Families are struggling to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and groceries. As gas prices continue to skyrocket because of the Iran conflict, families are being squeezed even further. First, I would end the illegal tariffs that are raising prices for hardworking Coloradans. Jeff Crank has repeatedly voted to protect these harmful tariffs. I would work to lower our housing costs by increasing housing supply in the Pikes Peak region and improving access for first-time homebuyers. I would also collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase the availability of affordable, quality childcare. Finally, I would work long-term to build out a more robust middle class through a fairer and equitable tax and economic policy so that Coloradans have the opportunity to live their American Dream. 

REAGAN: The biggest issue I hear about across the district is affordability — the growing sense that working families are being priced out of the American dream. Whether it’s housing, healthcare, groceries, insurance premiums, or childcare, too many Coloradans feel like they’re working harder while falling further behind. Housing is a major part of that challenge. We need to increase supply at every level, especially for first-time homebuyers and working families, supporting communities as they build workforce and entry-level housing while ensuring ordinary families aren’t forced to compete against massive institutional investors buying up single-family homes. We also have to address the broader pressures driving costs higher. Wildfire risk and rising insurance premiums are squeezing families across Colorado. Healthcare costs continue to outpace wage growth. AI and new technologies are rapidly changing the workforce, and we need to invest in education, apprenticeships, and workforce development so workers aren’t left behind. Affordability and democracy are deeply connected. People are frustrated because the system responds more quickly to corporate lobbyists and political donors than to working families. I support reforms that increase transparency, strengthen competition, and ensure Congress is focused on lowering costs and creating opportunity — not protecting special interests.

What is your reaction to how Congress recently has stood by as President Donald Trump claimed powers that traditionally belonged to the legislative branch, such as those related to war, government spending and tariffs?

KILLIN: El Paso County needs a representative who is willing to stand up to leaders from either party. With Jeff Crank’s blessing, Trump has continuously hurt Southern Colorado – cutting childcare funding, moving Space Command, and vetoing a bill for safe drinking water for Colorado. I will always put the people of the Pikes Peak Region over partisan games. Jeff Crank has also allowed the illegal conflict in Iran that is costing tens of billions in taxpayer dollars and sacrificing American lives, which is making life even more expensive here at home. We need a leader who will fight for Colorado and work to take back the power of Congress, rather than do as they’re told by their party bosses.

REAGAN: Congress has increasingly ceded powers to the executive branch for years, regardless of which party controls the White House — and that trend has weakened democratic accountability and the constitutional balance our system depends on. We’re seeing the consequences now on tariffs, war powers, and federal spending. The administration’s tariff policies function as a tax on working families and small businesses, raising costs while making it harder for local businesses to compete against massive corporations with larger supply chains and pricing power. I’ve heard from small business owners across El Paso County who are struggling with the resulting uncertainty. As a combat veteran, I believe Congress has a responsibility to fully debate and authorize military action rather than allowing administrations to expand conflicts without oversight. I served during the Global War on Terror and saw firsthand the long-term impact these decisions have on service members, veterans, and military families. Too often, working-class Americans bear the burden of wars while well-connected interests profit from them. Congress must restore constitutional guardrails — reclaim authority over trade and war powers, strengthen oversight, and rebuild public trust. Americans deserve confidence that decisions are made in the public interest, not to benefit political donors or insider networks.

Describe your approach to citizen engagement, such as whether you will appear at in-person town hall meetings and answer unscreened questions from residents?

KILLIN: Showing up, engaging with constituents, and listening to people who disagree with you is the job of being a representative, and yet Crank has refused to host any in-person town halls and consistently ignores his constituents. I commit to hosting in-person town halls at least once every quarter, answering unscreened questions, and consistently meeting with all constituents, including those who disagree with me. This community deserves real, responsive leadership. That is the job of a member of the House of Representatives.

REAGAN: Representation starts with accessibility and presence. I’ve tried to run a campaign consistent with how I would serve in Congress: showing up in person, engaging directly with residents, and lowering barriers to participation rather than creating them. I strongly support holding regular in-person town halls with unscreened questions. But engagement should go beyond traditional town halls. Not everyone can attend an evening event, so I want to combine in-person meetings with virtual forums and transparent digital communication to ensure people across the district can participate. Congress also needs to rethink constituent correspondence. People deserve to know their concerns are being heard. I would work to provide more timely, transparent responses and regularly communicate about what we’re hearing from the community. Most importantly, elected officials should remain connected to the communities they represent. My children attend public school here. I’m active in local nonprofits and community organizations, and this year I’ll serve as president of the Colorado Springs Rotary Club. Those connections matter because public service shouldn’t isolate representatives from everyday life in their district. For too long, people here have felt disconnected from their representatives. I want constituents to see me regularly in the community — not just during election season.

How will you respond to Trump administration actions, such as the withholding of federal disaster assistance, that appear to punish Colorado over political disagreements?

KILLIN: I will fight like hell for Colorado. I’m not afraid of President Trump, and when he tries to retaliate against our state, I will be unrelenting in holding him accountable and pushing back. I will also build relationships and work across the aisle to form a unified voice to protect Coloradans. It’s unacceptable to withhold federal disaster assistance or make critical national security decisions — like the location of Space Command — based on petty political fights. I will lead with integrity and always put the people of El Paso County first. 

REAGAN: I believe it is deeply inappropriate for disaster relief, economic development assistance, or federal support programs to be influenced by political disagreements or election results. The federal government is supposed to serve all Americans equally, regardless of party affiliation or how a state voted in the last election. We’ve seen growing concerns not only around disaster assistance, but also around uncertainty affecting programs that local communities and small businesses rely on, including support connected to Small Business Development Centers. When federal agencies appear to treat states differently based on politics, it undermines public trust and hurts communities that depend on those resources. In Colorado, disaster assistance is not an abstract issue. Wildfires, drought, severe weather, and rising insurance costs are already placing enormous pressure on families, small businesses, and local governments. Federal support should be based on need, transparency, and objective standards — not partisan considerations. Congress has an important oversight responsibility here. I believe lawmakers must hold agency leaders and administrations accountable to ensure federal programs are distributed fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the law. Public institutions work best when people trust that the government is operating in the public interest rather than rewarding political allies or punishing opponents.

What, if anything, must Congress do to ensure the security of elections?

KILLIN: Colorado has a safe and secure election system that maximizes voter turnout. I will defend Colorado from Trump’s political attacks by working to ensure our election laws remain robust and transparent.

REAGAN: Colorado has demonstrated that elections can be both secure and accessible, and I believe our state is a national model in how ballots are tracked, verified, and processed. I have full confidence in Colorado’s election officials and the integrity of our state’s election system. At the federal level, Congress should focus on protecting both election security and public confidence in democratic participation. That includes strengthening cybersecurity support for states, protecting election workers from threats and intimidation, and ensuring states have the resources necessary to administer elections fairly and efficiently. The SAVE Act is a prime example of legislation that gets this backward, imposing burdensome documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements that would disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters while solving a problem that does not meaningfully exist. It is a solution in search of a problem, and I oppose it. Congress must also address partisan gerrymandering. Politicians should not be choosing their voters. Colorado’s independent redistricting system is a better model. Congress should strengthen protections under the Voting Rights Act and ensure every eligible voter can participate freely and safely. No American should feel intimidated or discouraged from voting. Secure elections and accessible elections are not competing goals. A healthy democracy requires both.

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