U.S. HOUSE: Lamborn coasting in District 5
Republican Doug Lamborn skated to his second term in the U.S. House on Tuesday night, beating Democrat Hal Bidlack 59 percent to 38 percent.
Lamborn, a 12-year state legislator, captured the open seat two years ago when Joel Hefley retired.
He decisively defeated his two primary opponents in August.
Lamborn's victory means Republicans will hold only two of seven congressional seats in Colorado. Marilyn Musgrave was losing badly to Democrat Betsy Markey in District 4. The other GOP-held seat was going to Secretary of State Mike Coffman in District 6, a seat held by Tom Tancredo, who didn't seek re-election.
"I have bittersweet feelings," Lamborn said. "I feel good about what's happening in my race, but I'm sad that I've lost some good Republican colleagues across the country, and I'm sad that our country is going in a more liberal direction."
He said although he'll be part of the minority party in the House, he'll work with members of Colorado's delegation on Colorado issues, such as a veterans cemetery and Fitzsimmons Hospital.
"When it does come to the national and philosophical issues, I will be standing up for the conservative and Republican agenda, and it may not succeed, but I will be the loyal opposition," he said.
Lamborn, who hosted few campaign events and agreed to only one debate, acknowledged his win owes much to the fact Republicans outnumber Democrats nearly two to one in the district.
"I have the honor of representing what I consider a fabulous district with a lot of people with good common sense who do appreciate the kinds of values that Ronald Reagan stood up for - limited government and a strong national defense."
"Not all Republicans enjoy that same privilege that I do," he added. "Those are the ones who are losing in races across the country."
Because most of the district's 443,000 registered voters are in El Paso County, whoever wins in El Paso County wins the seat. Lamborn took 58 percent of El Paso County votes.
Created in 1972, the seat has always been held by a Republican. The most any Democrat has received was 40 percent when Jay Fawcett ran in 2006.
Bidlack, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, sharply criticized the handling of the Iraq war, spending and an enfringement on constitutional rights.
He said on the national level people have made "an important course correction," but he was disappointed in his race.
"People made their preference known," he said. Bidlack said he wants to run again in two years because, "I really do believe what I was talking about and it would be a sad commentary if I didn't follow through."
U.S. House - District 5 - General
County Precincts Bidlack Lamborn Scott
Total 282/459 79,126 (38%) 120,706 (59%) 5,862 (3%)
Chaffee 15/15 973 (43%) 1,212 (54%) 80 (4%)
El Paso 215/387 65,288 (39%) 98,147 (58%) 4,519 (3%)
Fremont 30/30 6,740 (35%) 11,755 (61%) 627 (3%)
Lake 6/6 1,582 (57%) 1,056 (38%) 128 (5%)
Park 3/8 708 (44%) 833 (51%) 81 (5%)
Teller 13/13 3,835 (32%) 7,703 (64%) 427 (4%)
Contact the writer: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com
