Jessica
Killin
Democrat Jessica Killin, Army veteran and former chief of staff to Doug Emhoff, challenges GOP incumbent Jeff Crank in Colorado's 5th Congressional District.
- sources
- 21
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 25
Background
Jessica Killin is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Colorado's 5th Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent U.S. Representative Jeff Crank in the November 3 general election. She was raised in Colorado Springs, attended Falcon High School, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa, and holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. 2312
Killin served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer before spending more than a decade in leadership roles at USAA. She subsequently held public-service positions on Capitol Hill, serving as chief of staff to several Democratic House members, and most recently served as chief of staff to Doug Emhoff, then the second gentleman. 29
The Colorado Sun described the 2026 race as Killin's first run for political office. 9 She won the Democratic primary in Colorado's 5th Congressional District in June 2026 and raised over $665,000 in the first quarter of 2026. 46
Killin's stated priorities include economic issues, veterans' concerns, and public service. Her campaign is headquartered in Colorado Springs, within the district she seeks to represent. 2812
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Colorado
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- jessicakillin.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7newsColorado Sun publishes issue guide comparing Killin's and Crank's stated positions
The Colorado Sun published a side-by-side issue guide detailing where both candidates stand on key policy questions in the CD-5 race.
Where Jeff Crank, Jessica Killin stand on the issues in Colorado's ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5endorsementVirginia Giuffre's relatives publicly endorse Killin on same day ad drops
Sky and Amanda Roberts, brother and sister-in-law of the late Virginia Giuffre, publicly endorsed Jessica Killin on October 5, the same day they appeared in her campaign advertisement targeting Rep. Jeff Crank over his vote on Epstein-related file releases.
Relatives of Epstein victim appear in attack ad targeting ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsColorado begins mailing ballots to active registered voters for November 3 general election
Colorado ballots began being mailed to active registered voters on October 5, ahead of the November 3 general election in which Killin faces incumbent Rep. Jeff Crank.
Relatives of Epstein victim appear in attack ad targeting ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsKillin outlines policy priorities in Denver Post and Gazette candidate questionnaires
In candidate questionnaires, Killin named lowering costs as a top priority. She said she would oppose tariffs, support building more housing, require data centers to pay their own energy costs, address prescription-drug costs, and protect Social Security and Medicare. These are stated campaign positions.
Colorado U.S. House District 5 candidate Q&A - The Denver Post · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsKillin campaign reports raising over $2.1 million in Q3 fundraising
Killin's campaign announced it raised more than $2.1 million in the third quarter—over $1.8 million for her campaign committee and over $350,000 for her Victory Fund—and more than $5.2 million across committees for the cycle. These are campaign-reported figures; federal finance reports were due October 15.
Army Veteran Jessica Killin brings in over $2.1 million in Q3 · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsKillin launches TV ad titled '100% Trump,' linking Crank to President Trump
Killin's campaign launched a television advertisement titled '100% Trump,' part of its effort to associate incumbent Rep. Jeff Crank with President Trump as campaign messaging ahead of the general election.
Army Veteran Jessica Killin Launches New TV Ad, “100% Trump” · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsKillin and Crank answer questions for Monument Independent voter guide
Both candidates responded to questions from the Monument Independent, addressing issues and campaign activities. Killin said she had hosted nearly 100 district events over the prior year and criticized Crank for not holding an in-person town hall.
Crank and Killin Answer Our Questions on the CO-5 Race - The ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26pollCook Political Report moves CO-5 from 'Likely Republican' to 'Lean Republican'
Cook Political Report shifted Colorado's 5th Congressional District rating in Democrats' favor, indicating a closer race, according to contemporaneous reporting and a Killin campaign release.
Cook Political Report Moves Colorado's 5th Congressional ... · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsKillin launches TV ad titled 'Come On'
Killin's campaign released a television advertisement titled 'Come On,' part of its general election messaging effort.
Army Veteran Jessica Killin Launches TV Ad, “Come On” · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsCPR publishes voter guide profile of Jessica Killin
Colorado Public Radio published a voter guide entry on Democrat Jessica Killin, the Army veteran challenging incumbent Jeff Crank in Colorado's 5th Congressional District.
5th Congressional District: Democrat Jessica Killin · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18debateCrank and Killin hold their second public debate
A second debate between Killin and Crank took place, as reported in a race overview. The candidates had previously agreed to two debates.
CO-05 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16pollSabato's Crystal Ball moves CO-5 from 'Likely Republican' to 'Lean Republican'
Killin's campaign announced that Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted the district's rating in Democrats' favor. The campaign also reported a campaign-sponsored poll showing Crank at 45% and Killin at 44% on an initial ballot, with Killin leading 47%-44% after candidate profiles. The campaign also said MAGA Inc. had committed $700,000 to protect Crank.
Sabato's Crystal Ball Moves Colorado's 5th Congressional ... · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 4filingColorado Secretary of State certifies four candidates on CD-5 ballot, including Killin
A candidate tracker citing the Colorado Secretary of State's certified list confirmed four candidates on the district's ballot: Jeff Crank (R), Jessica Killin (D), Christopher Mitchell (American Constitution Party), and Mark Elworth Jr. (Libertarian).
Colorado's 5th congressional district — 2026 candidates · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27debateKillin and Crank debate; topics include war in Iran, federal budget, and health care
The two candidates met in their first public debate. The Gazette reported the discussion covered the war in Iran, the federal budget, and health care.
- Aug 14newsCrank and Killin agree to two debates in Colorado's 5th Congressional District
The Gazette reported that Crank and Killin agreed to hold two debates ahead of the November general election.
- Jun 30newsKillin wins Democratic primary over Joe Reagan, 61.2% to 38.8%
Jessica Killin defeated fellow Democrat Joe Reagan in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 5th Congressional District, 61.2% to 38.8%, securing the nomination to face incumbent Republican Jeff Crank in the general election.
Crank and Killin Answer Our Questions on the CO-5 Race - The ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet officialPart of Colorado's entire Democratic congressional delegation endorsement; campaign roundup notes endorsements earned in 2025 but no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Colorado Springs City Councilmember Kimberly Gold officialListed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin officialListed by the campaign as an endorser; no date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- EMILYs List organizationListed by the campaign as an endorser; no date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- Elect Democratic Women organizationNamed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- Giffords PAC organizationListed as an endorser in the iVoterGuide profile; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- Colorado State Rep. Amy Paschal officialListed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- New Politics organizationNamed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- U.S. Rep. Jason Crow officialPart of Colorado's entire Democratic congressional delegation endorsement; campaign roundup notes endorsements earned in 2025 but no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- University of Colorado Regent Elliott Hood officialListed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- VoteVets organizationNamed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper officialPart of Colorado's entire Democratic congressional delegation endorsement; campaign roundup notes endorsements earned in 2025 but no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Colorado Springs City Councilmember Nancy Henjum officialListed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette officialPart of Colorado's entire Democratic congressional delegation endorsement; campaign roundup notes endorsements earned in 2025 but no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Former Colorado State Sen. Pete Lee officialNamed by the campaign among local endorsers in April 2, 2026 roundup; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Defend the Vote organizationNamed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse officialPart of Colorado's entire Democratic congressional delegation endorsement; campaign roundup notes endorsements earned in 2025 but no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Former Colorado Springs City Councilmember Yolanda Avila officialNamed by the campaign among local endorsers in April 2, 2026 roundup; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Defeat Extremists organizationNamed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen officialPart of Colorado's entire Democratic congressional delegation endorsement; campaign roundup notes endorsements earned in 2025 but no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Kathleen Ricker, former chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party officialNamed by the campaign among local endorsers in April 2, 2026 roundup; no individual date given. killinforcolorado.com
- Voter Protection Project organizationNamed by the campaign as an endorser; no individual date given in the roundup. killinforcolorado.com
- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) unionLargest federal employee union; announced its endorsement on September 8, 2026. afge.org · Sep 8, 2026
- League of Conservation Voters Action Fund organizationAnnounced its endorsement on June 4, 2026. lcv.org · Jun 4, 2026
- NewDem Action Fund organizationEndorsed Killin on April 17, 2026, according to the group's post. x.com · Apr 17, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $3.14M
- Spent
- $1.55M
- Cash on hand
- $1.59M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CO05324(opens in a new tab)
Sources 21
- [1] CO-05 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Where Jeff Crank, Jessica Killin stand on the issues in Colorado's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Relatives of Epstein victim appear in attack ad targeting ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Colorado U.S. House District 5 candidate Q&A - The Denver Post(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Army Veteran Jessica Killin brings in over $2.1 million in Q3(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [6] Army Veteran Jessica Killin Launches New TV Ad, “100% Trump”(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [7] Crank and Killin Answer Our Questions on the CO-5 Race - The ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [8] Army Veteran Jessica Killin Launches TV Ad, “Come On”(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [9] Cook Political Report Moves Colorado's 5th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [10] 5th Congressional District: Democrat Jessica Killin(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [11] Sabato's Crystal Ball Moves Colorado's 5th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [12] Colorado's 5th congressional district — 2026 candidates(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [13] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Colorado's ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
- [14] Colorado's 5th Congressional District debate: Republican Rep. Jeff Crank faces challenger Democrat Jessica Killin(opens in a new tab) Aug 29, 2026
- [15] Democrat Jessica Killin criticizes Rep. Jeff Crank's record in first ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026
- [16] Crank, Killin Trade Barbs Ahead of CD5 Debates(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
- [17] Jessica Killin(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
- [18] Jessica Killin(opens in a new tab) Jun 9, 2026
- [19] LCV Action Fund Endorses New Slate of Candidates for U.S. House ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 4, 2026
- [20] Post(opens in a new tab) Apr 17, 2026
- [21] Democrat Jessica Killin brought in over $665,000 in Q1 of 2026(opens in a new tab) Apr 2, 2026