U.S. House, Colorado 5th Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Colorado's 5th Congressional District?
Jeff Crank has the strongest record in Colorado's 5th Congressional District. Jeff Crank scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Jessica Killin at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Jeff Crank's highest marks are roots in the constituency and showing up. Jessica Killin's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth (2 of 15 criteria), Steven Fuller (1 of 15 criteria) and Christopher Mitchell (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Jeff Crank
66 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 75
Libertarian
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
Steven Fuller
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Jessica Killin
61 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
American Constitution Party
Christopher Mitchell
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Jeff Crank
- On the record2026-09-14
The Colorado Sun fact-check found misleading a Killin campaign ad claim that he sought a waiver to take undisclosed gifts from lobbyists.
Source: The Colorado Sun, Sept. 14, 2026
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Steven Fuller
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Jessica Killin
- On the record2026-09-14
The Colorado Sun rated a claim in her first attack ads, that Rep. Jeff Crank sought a waiver to take undisclosed lobbyist gifts, misleading.
Source: The Colorado Sun, Sept. 14, 2026
Christopher Mitchell
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Jeff Crank. Annual financial disclosure for 2025 filed Aug. 12, 2026 after a timely extension request, with no periodic transaction reports on the Clerk index. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC with no administrative fine or House Ethics finding found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, calendar year 2025, Filing ID 10077119, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026 and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed Aug. 13, 2026 after an extension request. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10075599, FEC administrative fines search
Christopher Mitchell. House candidate financial disclosure filed July 9, 2026 and FEC committee reports on file through June 30, 2026 showing no receipts. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10081239, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Jeff Crank. No public record found.
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. No public record found.
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Jeff Crank. Took part in two 2026 general election debates with Democrat Jessica Killin, including the Aug. 27 televised debate at the Pikes Peak Center.
Sources: CPR News, 5th District voter guide, Sept. 24, 2026, KRDO, Aug. 27, 2026
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Took part in two 2026 general election debates with Rep. Jeff Crank.
Sources: CPR News, 5th District voter guide, Sept. 24, 2026, KRDO, Aug. 27, 2026
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Jeff Crank. Congressional staffer, state director of an advocacy group, radio host and first-term member with no censure or conduct finding found.
Source: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Eight years as an Army officer and later chief of staff in congressional and White House offices, with no conduct finding found.
Source: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Jeff Crank. Sworn in January 2025; no recorded action to reject certified results and no official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: GovTrack
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Served in the U.S. Army. No official finding of misuse found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jessica Killin
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Jeff Crank. U.S. representative since January 2025, in his first term; earlier a congressional staffer for Rep. Joel Hefley and an executive at Americans for Prosperity.
Sources: GovTrack, Ballotpedia, Jeff Crank
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Army veteran, Georgetown law graduate, chief of staff to three members of Congress and to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and a former USAA executive. Has not held elected office.
Source: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Christopher Mitchell. Electrical engineer with a 1994 New Mexico State University degree. Has not held public office.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Jeff Crank. Serves on Armed Services and Natural Resources and has introduced specific housing bills, the FRAMER Act (H.R. 7282) and the First Time Homebuyer Debt Reduction Act.
Sources: GovTrack, CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Gives specific positions: end broad tariffs, reinstate Affordable Care Act subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts in the 2025 budget law.
Source: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Jeff Crank. Answered the Denver Post questionnaire, gave a CPR issue interview and debated twice. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026, CPR News, 5th District voter guide, Sept. 24, 2026
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey and answered the Denver Post questionnaire.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Mark Elworth Jr., The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026
Steven Fuller. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.
Jessica Killin. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, answered the Denver Post questionnaire, gave a CPR interview and debated twice.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jessica Killin, The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Jeff Crank. Born in Pueblo and lives in Colorado Springs, where he says he has worked for more than 30 years. About 65 percent of itemized individual contributions by state came from Colorado (FEC, through June 30, 2026).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jeff Crank, The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. Lists his residence as Colorado Springs.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Fourth-generation Coloradan and Falcon High School graduate who returned to El Paso County to run; lives in Colorado Springs. About 18 percent of itemized individual contributions by state came from Colorado (FEC, through June 30, 2026).
Sources: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jessica Killin, FEC contribution totals by state
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Jeff Crank. Runs a House office with a Colorado Springs district office; campaign reports are on file with no FEC administrative fine.
Sources: Crank House site, Office Locations, FEC administrative fines search
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. Campaign has raised $3.14 million with reports on file and no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Christopher Mitchell. Committee reports are on file with the FEC with no administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Jeff Crank. No public record found.
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. No public record found.
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Jeff Crank. Missed 2 of 676 roll call votes, 0.3 percent, from January 2025 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. No public record found.
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Jeff Crank. Offers casework through a Colorado Springs district office.
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. No public record found.
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Jeff Crank. No public record found.
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. No public record found.
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Jeff Crank. No public record found.
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth. No public record found.
Steven Fuller. No public record found.
Jessica Killin. No public record found.
Christopher Mitchell. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Colorado's 5th Congressional District?
Jeff Crank has the strongest record in Colorado's 5th Congressional District. Jeff Crank scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Jessica Killin at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Jeff Crank's highest marks are roots in the constituency and showing up. Jessica Killin's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth (2 of 15 criteria), Steven Fuller (1 of 15 criteria) and Christopher Mitchell (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Colorado's 5th Congressional District in 2026?
Jeff Crank (Republican, incumbent), Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth (Libertarian), Steven Fuller (Write-in), Jessica Killin (Democratic), Christopher Mitchell (American Constitution Party). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Jeff Crank a good candidate for Congress?
Jeff Crank scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth a good candidate for Congress?
Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Steven Fuller a good candidate for Congress?
Steven Fuller has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jessica Killin a good candidate for Congress?
Jessica Killin scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Christopher Mitchell a good candidate for Congress?
Christopher Mitchell has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Colorado race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Colorado 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.