2024 Primary Election

REPUBLICAN

U.S. CONGRESS DISTRICT 5

CANDIDATES

CD5 Republican Primary Candidates

Listed in Ballot Order

PLEASE NOTE:   A candidate for this office states in one of his answers that we censored him.  Our position is that we were simply enforcing one of the stated rules that we have for ALL candidates who choose to participate in our Voter Guides.  We notified the candidate that his original survey submission violated the rule and invited him to correct it.  The revision he submitted included this claim of censorship, and so we have published such in his listing herein.  Does our rule constitute “censorship”?  As with all the information contained in our publications, we will leave that for you to decide.  Here is the exact stated rule, applied to all survey submissions, that we have determined is necessary in order to not have candidates use the space we provide them to attack other candidates:

Thumper’s Rule:  Yes, “if you can’t say somethin’ nice” about an opponent in your race, then we require that you write nothing about them at all.  The space that Church Voter Guides freely provides your campaign is to help the electorate learn about you, your policy platforms, and how you intend to govern, and NOT for you to compare yourself to other candidates, nor defame your opponents in any way.  If you chose to submit such, we may at our full discretion delete any words that we deem in violation of this requirement.

THE TOPICS
& QUESTIONS 

click each box to read

Candidate Information

Campaign Website URL: 

Email Address: 

Occupation/Vocation: 

Military Background (if any):

Years Resident of El Paso County/District Represented: 

Your Experience, Priorities, and Vision

What experience (personal, professional, other), priorities, and vision do you have for the elected office that you seek that will benefit your constituency?

Ethics and Accountability

What are your beliefs on ethics, accountability, and transparency in government as they relate to the position that you are seeking? Also, what is your position on accountability measures voted into law by Colorado’s electorate, such as the Colorado Sunshine Law and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)?

1st Amendment

If elected, what will you do to protect your constituents’ rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?

2nd Amendment

What is your position on gun legislation regarding topics such as mandatory gun insurance, an increased minimum age to purchase a gun, so-called “assault weapons” bans, and creating various new “sensitive spaces” (additional “gun-free zones”)?

Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism

Over the past year there has been a sharp rise in the expression of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism both across our nation and in Colorado, especially among youth. What do you view as the cause(s) of these sociopolitical issues, and what if anything should be done to address them?

The Economy and Resources

As an elected official, what initiatives would you champion to improve the local economy, and what are your priorities for addressing policies on water, energy, and other resources?

Education

If elected, what would you do to help improve the educational outcomes for students in our area? What is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice, parental notifications, etc.?

Protecting the Vulnerable

If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?

Crime

What are your thoughts about crime in Colorado and our community? If elected, how will you work to reduce the impact of crime on your constituents?

Immigration

Do you believe that illegal entries into the U.S. have led to problems for our region? If so, what would you do if elected to improve the situation? Also, what is your view of sanctuary cities/counties?

Election Security and Confidence

Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? (For example, should people be required to show proof of citizenship and residency for registering to vote in Colorado, and should Government-issued identification be required to vote?) If elected, what specifically will you do to help improve Coloradans’ confidence in our elections?

DAVE WILLIAMS

click each topic box to read

survey question and reply

 

Candidate Information

Campaign Website URL:  www.DaveForColorado.com 

Email Address:   Dave@DaveForColorado.com 

Occupation/Vocation:  Chairman – Colorado Republican Party 

Years Resident of El Paso County/District Represented:  24 Years

Your Experience, Priorities, and Vision

What experience (personal, professional, other), priorities, and vision do you have for the elected office that you seek that will benefit your constituency?

I am endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, the National Rifle Association, and the House Freedom Caucus, voters can count on me to fight for them to secure our border, protect the Second Amendment, lower taxes and spending, support a strong military, advance a pro-life agenda, and have less government in our lives.

As a Christian, former state lawmaker and the conservative grassroots Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, I know leadership is synonymous with service to others. You are the boss and I’ll work for you to return power back to “We the People.”

 

Ethics and Accountability

What are your beliefs on ethics, accountability, and transparency in government as they relate to the position that you are seeking? Also, what is your position on accountability measures voted into law by Colorado’s electorate, such as the Colorado Sunshine Law and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)?

Washington D.C. is broken. No politician should enrich themselves (or their special interest friends) off the backs of taxpayers. We especially need to create policies that stop congressmen from engaging in insider trading or buying congressional committee positions by fundraising money into the coffers of party bosses from fat cat lobbyists.

Sunshine is the best disinfectant for political corruption, so I fully support Colorado Sunshine Laws. Public business should always be conducted in the open.

TABOR is necessary to stop corrupt government officials from stealing more money to grow out-of- control government. We need to expand TABOR nationally.

 

1st Amendment

If elected, what will you do to protect your constituents’ rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?

We must not allow liberal extremists, obsessed with censorship, to use the government as a weapon to punish people for living out their values. The government must not be allowed to overstep its role or violate our First Amendment.

As our new Congressman, I’ll fight the radical homosexual movement and woke liberals who want to cancel conservatives or anyone else they disagree with.

Additionally, you can count on me to fight with other conservative warriors to shut down the government when they try to stop free speech or religious freedom. I will be a wrecking ball to the corrupt establishment power brokers who want to steal your money and rights.

 

2nd Amendment

What is your position on gun legislation regarding topics such as mandatory gun insurance, an increased minimum age to purchase a gun, so-called “assault weapons” bans, and creating various new “sensitive spaces” (additional “gun-free zones”)?

I am endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the National Association for Gun Rights, you can count on me to oppose all gun-control measures.

The right to bear arms is fundamental to the defense of the American people from enemies foreign and domestic. The Second Amendment serves as a defense against crime, but also as an ultimate check against government should it become tyrannical.

We need to oppose all gun-control, like unjust “Red-Flag” laws that confiscate firearms from gun owners without due process of law.

 

Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism

Over the past year there has been a sharp rise in the expression of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism both across our nation and in Colorado, especially among youth. What do you view as the cause(s) of these sociopolitical issues, and what if anything should be done to address them?

The cause of this insane behavior comes from woke politicians, Hollywood, and academia who always look for ways to indoctrinate the youth and gaslight society.

We need to push back against all of these twisted agitators by electing America-First candidates only, boycotting woke entertainment, and not paying taxpayer dollars to communist professors/teachers who spread propaganda in classrooms.

 

The Economy and Resources

As an elected official, what initiatives would you champion to improve the local economy, and what are your priorities for addressing policies on water, energy, and other resources?

America doesn’t have a revenue problem. America has a problem with politicians who are more than happy to overspend your taxpayer dollars. We need to start balancing budgets and cutting out waste, fraud, and abuse. Only sound money policies coupled with less regulation will unleash free enterprise.

With the Fed printing more and more money and the government spending our tax dollars like they are drunk on power, it’s inevitable that we are experiencing record inflation and headed toward another recession.

As our next Congressman, I’ll fight for economic security and American energy independence while never voting to raise the debt ceiling, taxes or fee hikes, or any bill that puts the government ahead of private business job growth.

 

Education

If elected, what would you do to help improve the educational outcomes for students in our area? What is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice, parental notifications, etc.?

Education is a state and local issue so I would start by getting the federal government out of the education system.

Additionally, I would encourage all parents to get their children out of public school and, instead, homeschool. If homeschooling is not an option, then consider charter schools or doing whatever possible to monitor classroom curriculum while spending more family time with your children.

Ultimately, to fix public education we need to stop woke indoctrination, like the transgender agenda that harms students, while creating competition for parents by funding students directly instead of failing schools that push a leftist agenda.

 

Protecting the Vulnerable

If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?

Church Voter Guide’s leadership unfortunately censored our campaign’s original answer regarding the true and accurate abortion differences between me and my opponent even though you deserve to know what’s at stake for the unborn. Our campaign doesn’t agree with their speech censorship or election interference.

With that said, and in accordance with scripture, Mark 8:36, I will NOT vote for abortion funding even if it’s included in defense contractor spending authorizations.

If we want to protect the elderly, stop human trafficking, and help those mentally ill, then we need to allow police to do their job while securing the border to stop illegal immigration instead of wasting tax dollars on Democrat, soft-on-crime policies.

 

Crime

What are your thoughts about crime in Colorado and our community? If elected, how will you work to reduce the impact of crime on your constituents?

Crime is up because of radical Democrats. We need to support law enforcement and allow them to uphold the law against criminals without fear of being punished.

Best thing to do is to throw as many Democrats out of office during election time while prioritizing funding to first responders and police.

We should also encourage responsible gun ownership and advance pro-Second Amendment policies that empower citizens to be their own first responders.

 

Immigration

Do you believe that illegal entries into the U.S. have led to problems for our region? If so, what would you do if elected to improve the situation? Also, what is your view of sanctuary cities/counties?

I am an America-First candidate endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, you can count on me to work with the Trump Administration to increase border security and enforcement, deport illegal aliens, and defund sanctuary cities.

Cities across Colorado feeling the pressure while some, like Denver, are cutting city services to house illegal aliens. This is irresponsible and reckless.

Additionally, we need to put an end to giving in-state tuition, driver’s licenses, and any other government benefit to illegal aliens. Colorado can do its part in stopping illegal immigration by simply not rewarding illegal behavior.

 

Election Security and Confidence

Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? (For example, should people be required to show proof of citizenship and residency for registering to vote in Colorado, and should Government-issued identification be required to vote?) If elected, what specifically will you do to help improve Coloradans’ confidence in our elections?

Colorado elections are broken. We need to end no-excuse, universal mail-in balloting, clean the voter rolls, and stop illegal ballot harvesting.

Additionally, we should have a system that requires proof of citizens/voter ID before voting on a paper ballot while allowing every citizen the right to inspect those paper ballots through a legitimate audit.

 

JEFF CRANK

click each topic box to read

survey question and reply

 

Candidate Information

Campaign Website URL:  www.JeffCrankForCongress.com

Email Address:  Jeff@JeffCrankForCongress.com

Occupation/Vocation:  Business Owner

Years Resident of El Paso County/District Represented:  26 years

 

 

Your Experience, Priorities, and Vision

What experience (personal, professional, other), priorities, and vision do you have for the elected office that you seek that will benefit your constituency?

I have fought for our community as a native Southern Coloradan living in El Paso County since 1998. I fought to keep Fort Carson open and to improve the lives of our military serving here. During my 14- year tenure as a radio host, I have supported conservative policies and have steadfastly supported limited government, individual freedom, and opposed tax increases. As past President of the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition, I have persistently defended our Second Amendment rights. The bedrock of my life is my Christian faith, which has accordingly shaped my political beliefs. A board member and recipient of Life Network’s Champion of Life award, I will always advocate for the voices of the marginalized and unborn.

 

Ethics and Accountability

What are your beliefs on ethics, accountability, and transparency in government as they relate to the position that you are seeking? Also, what is your position on accountability measures voted into law by Colorado’s electorate, such as the Colorado Sunshine Law and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)?

Transparency is key for a government to keep the public trust. As a member of Congress, I will fight to return Congress to regular order and work to end the bloated omnibus spending bills and their hidden pork-barrel projects. I will push for open debate on spending bills and up or down votes on amendments to cut spending. I will put any stocks that I own into a blind trust to ensure my integrity as an elected official. I will hold regular town hall meetings where citizens can share their concerns. I support expansion of Freedom of Information Act provisions and I support the Colorado Sunshine Law. I have been a steadfast defender of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

 

1st Amendment

If elected, what will you do to protect your constituents’ rights to freedom of religion, speech, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?

The First Amendment is the cornerstone of the Bill of Rights and must be protected at all costs. In recent years, individual free speech has alarmingly come under attack by the government and by the tyranny of popular culture. Similarly, the left and a weaponized government have targeted religious freedom and expression of people of faith and infringed on our First Amendment rights. I will always defend the bedrock principles of freedom of speech and of religion and the other freedoms in the First Amendment. Government has no right to infringe on these God-given rights of the people. Upholding the Constitution, and fidelity to it, is the first obligation of a member of Congress.

 

2nd Amendment

What is your position on gun legislation regarding topics such as mandatory gun insurance, an increased minimum age to purchase a gun, so-called “assault weapons” bans, and creating various new “sensitive spaces” (additional “gun-free zones”)?

What is it about the Second Amendment that politicians don’t understand? It explicitly states that “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” An avid hunter, outdoorsman, and gun owner, I staunchly support the Second Amendment. I oppose mandatory gun insurance, assault weapons bans, additional gun-free zones, and believe that any law-abiding citizen 18 years of age or older possesses a constitutional right to bear arms. Crimes are committed by people – not guns. Depriving law-abiding citizens of their constitutional right to bear arms does not reduce crime, but strips them of their ability to defend themselves. The Second Amendment was not only necessary in 1791, but remains indispensable to our rights and protections today.

 

Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism

Over the past year there has been a sharp rise in the expression of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism both across our nation and in Colorado, especially among youth. What do you view as the cause(s) of these sociopolitical issues, and what if anything should be done to address them?

The upsurge of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism among youth is primarily due to the influence of the liberal media and educational indoctrination by people with liberal agendas. Certain individuals in our schools have distorted history by inaccurately portraying America’s founding and advancing a corrupt and inaccurate narrative of the current Arab-Israeli conflict. Too many Americans are misinformed by liberal propaganda, and citizens must be taught the truth- that the Arab world refuses to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist. An alarming concern festers in America – if we lose our understanding of good and evil, then we will lose our society. I will always stand with the nation of Israel and I support U.S. aid to Israel.

 

The Economy and Resources

As an elected official, what initiatives would you champion to improve the local economy, and what are your priorities for addressing policies on water, energy, and other resources?

Along with border security, the renewal of our nation’s economy is among my top priorities, and locally I am uniquely qualified to help protect local military installations and grow the defense sector of our economy. I have decades of experience working with community leaders to grow our defense and technology sectors and expand existing military missions. As a native Coloradan, I value protecting our state’s natural resources while advocating for a free market “all-of-the-above” energy policy. Government bureaucrats should not pick winners and losers in our energy policy. Government mandates of electric cars and renewal energy standards lead to higher prices for Coloradans – so individuals, not government, should make decisions about what products they want to use.

 

Education

If elected, what would you do to help improve the educational outcomes for students in our area? What is your position on parental authority in K-12 education, including school choice, parental notifications, etc.?

I will sponsor legislation to abolish the federal Department of Education and empower parents through educational choice. The Federal government has no business directing our children’s education. This is the role of local school boards. I’ve spent 35 years working to limit government intervention in education by championing school choice and parental empowerment and using my radio show and endorsement page to help elect pro-school choice candidates to office. Free market reforms will improve our nation’s K-12 education, and eradicate the damaging woke agenda of educational bureaucrats. Only when the system is given back to the customers (parents and children) will we see academic performance improve. I support all options including private, public and homeschool. Parents, not politicians, should decide.

 

Protecting the Vulnerable

If elected, how will you seek to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, including the unborn, victims of trafficking and abuse, senior citizens, and those experiencing mental illness?

I respect life and believe as a society that we must create a culture of respect while advocating for the vulnerable – including the unborn, elderly, and those with disabilities. I am endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America PAC and have earned Life Network’s “Champion of Life” award. I am 100% pro-life, oppose abortion and oppose all federal funding of abortion. This belief stems from my Biblical worldview and my Christian faith. I have visited the U.S./Mexico border twice, witnessing firsthand the government-caused humanitarian crisis. Getting control of the border means that we help stop human trafficking, crime and fentanyl infiltrating our communities. I will confront the irresponsibility of the Biden administration’s current policies and hold them accountable.

 

Crime

What are your thoughts about crime in Colorado and our community? If elected, how will you work to reduce the impact of crime on your constituents?

I have a long history of supporting law enforcement and backing strict measures against criminals preying on our community. I am endorsed by current El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal, the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association, former Sheriff Bill Elder, former District Attorney Dan May, former Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and former CSPD Chief Lorne Kramer and many other law enforcement leaders throughout Southern Colorado. To counteract crime and protect our citizens, I oppose drug legalization, which leads to more crime within our community. I also advocate for more severe penalties for drug dealers, who corrupt the streets of our communities and kill people with fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.

 

Immigration

Do you believe that illegal entries into the U.S. have led to problems for our region? If so, what would you do if elected to improve the situation? Also, what is your view of sanctuary cities/counties?

Illegal immigration is the most serious crisis that our country faces and our border must be controlled immediately. We don’t know who is coming to the U.S. and illegal immigrants are not fully vetted, and their admission – including into sanctuary cities/counties in Colorado – burdens every aspect of our communities, from our education system to healthcare, welfare, safety, law enforcement, and more. We must build Trump’s wall, increase the number of border patrol agents, deploy sensors, drones and other technology. Most importantly, we must listen to the American people and end the Biden disaster at the border – and hold him and his administration accountable for their reckless dereliction of duty.

 

Election Security and Confidence

Do you believe that elections in Colorado should be conducted differently? (For example, should people be required to show proof of citizenship and residency for registering to vote in Colorado, and should Government-issued identification be required to vote?) If elected, what specifically will you do to help improve Coloradans’ confidence in our elections?

I believe that not only in Colorado, but across the United States, voters must present government- issued proof of citizenship and proof of residency to be eligible to vote, as well as photo identification to cast a vote. Voters’ faith in America’s election process is the foundation of our democracy. The integrity of our democratic system is diminished when the voters’ confidence in the election process is weakened. America was founded on a government of the people, by the people and for the people and for this to matter, they must have confidence that their vote is counted and not diluted by illegally cast votes. I oppose electoral schemes like rank-choice voting which further undermine confidence in our electoral process.

 

JOIN THE COALITION

Help us share the Voter Guide through your ministry.

JOIN OUR E-LIST

Stay informed on the election and other news.

Christian voting

Voting is a simple, yet significant way to do something about public policy in our country. As people of faith, we will be held accountable for our actions, as well as our lack of action. (Luke 12:48)

Biblical worldview

By diligently learning, applying, and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives, we can begin to develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture’s non-biblical ideas.

Vote your values

The issues of the day change. Political parties and platforms change. God’s Word never changes. The vote of every Christian should be based on the principles of Scripture and not persuasive personalities.

Electing righteous leaders

Bad governance and our loss of freedom is the direct result of the church’s failure to disciple. When the citizenry do not seek to be obedient to God’s Law, they vote in wicked and corrupt candidates, who then trample underfoot the God-given liberties of the people.