U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn won the Republican nomination for a ninth term representing the 5th Congressional District on Tuesday, according to unofficial primary returns.
With just over 48% of the vote, Lamborn finished ahead of leading challenger Dave Williams, a three-term state lawmaker from Colorado Springs, by about 15 points. Republicans Rebecca Keltie, a Navy veteran and nonprofit executive, and business owner Andrew Heaton trailed.
The heavily Republican district covers most of El Paso County.
Democrat David Torres won the nomination over Michael Colombe by 9 points in his party's primary for the seat.
"It feels really good to be victorious tonight," Lamborn told reporters at an election night watch party in Colorado Springs after his race had been called. "I'm going to be working real hard on Armed Services with my seniority to make as many good things happen for our community as possible — standing up for our national defense, standing up for conservative values all the way around."
If he wins reelection in November — and Republicans take the gavel in the U.S. House — Lamborn is in line to chair the powerful strategic forces subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee.
Facing an ongoing ethics investigation on charges he misused his office for personal gain, Lamborn also came under heavy criticism from his GOP challengers over former President Trump's decision to relocate U.S. Space Command's permanent headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Ala. The decision is under review by the Biden Administration, at Lamborn's insistence.
In April, Williams sued to have his name listed on the ballot along with the phrase "Let's Go Brandon" — code for an obscene insult aimed at President Joe Biden — claiming it was his nickname, but the courts disagreed.
Lamborn, a lawyer and former state lawmaker, has only made it to the November ballot without facing a primary twice in his nine runs for the congressional seat.
Lamborn and Williams traded blows on the airwaves for weeks in a series of blistering attack ads. At one point earlier this month, Williams asked local prosecutors to consider filing criminal charges against Lamborn under a Colorado law that makes it a misdemeanor to spread false information in a political campaign.
Watch: Former gubernatorial chief of staff on primary results
Watch: KUSA coverage of primary election
