Crank concedes to Lamborn

The Gazette

Published August 12, 2008 at 8:31 p.m.

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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.

In early and mail-in voting for 4th Judicial District attorney, challenger Dan May held almost a 2-to-1 lead over incumbent John Newsome in the Republican primary. May, who lost to Newsome in the 2004 GOP primary, had 21,403 votes (62 percent) to Newsome's 12,809 (37 percent). May entered the race late in the campaign after Newsome was filmed drinking at a local bar and later driving a county vehicle. There are no Democrats running for the office.

State Rep. Douglas Bruce also was running into trouble holding onto his seat in his first bid for election to the Colorado Legislature after being appointed to fill an unexpired term. In the House District 15 GOP primary, challenger Mark Waller had 2,998 votes to Bruce's 2,492. Bruce's four months in the Statehouse began with his refusal to be sworn in on time. Soon after his swearing in, Bruce became the first lawmaker to be censured by the House for kicking a newspaper photographer who had taken his picture while Bruce was praying on the floor of the House. Near the end of the term, Bruce was silenced during debate on a bill after he called foreign farm workers "illiterate peasants."

Results from the 187 Polling Places from throughout El Paso County will be posted periodically throughout the evening with all ballots counted and all results expected to be posted by around 10 p.m.

Early and mail-in ballots and some precincts reporting

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%

5th Congressional District, Lake County

Crank - 51 votes

Rayburn - 40

Lamborn - 65

State Senate District 4

Mark Scheffel - 1,820 votes, 59.61%

Bob Denny - 1,233, 40.39%