Colorado Congressional Candidates Denounce Attack Ads as Election Nears
In Colorado's 5th Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank and Democratic challenger Jessica Killin are denouncing dueling attack ads as "lies" and distractions as election day approaches. Both candidates are pushing back against negative advertising from each other and…

Colorado Springs Pueblo, CO, September 22, 2026 — In Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, both incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank and Democratic challenger Jessica Killin have publicly denounced a wave of attack advertisements as dishonest and distracting tactics as the election draws near.
The campaign season in the 5th Congressional District is marked by sharp criticism from both sides regarding negative advertising. Both Crank, the incumbent Republican, and Killin, the Democratic challenger, have characterized the ads as containing falsehoods and serving to divert attention from substantive issues.
The advertisements, which target the candidates’ personal backgrounds and alleged affiliations, are reportedly originating from opposing campaigns and from outside groups. This surge in negative campaigning comes as substantial outside spending flows into the district’s electoral contests.
Specific details regarding the exact nature of the targeted backgrounds or affiliations were not provided in the available summary. Similarly, the specific amounts of outside spending, beyond being described as millions, were not detailed.
Both Crank and Killin are actively engaging in efforts to counter these narratives, seeking to correct what they describe as misinformation and to keep the focus on their respective platforms and qualifications for office. The candidates’ shared stance in condemning the ads underscores a significant aspect of the current campaign landscape in the district.
Story summarized from the original created by Ernest Luning on gazette.com, see more information here.
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