Expert: Lamborn is vulnerable in 2008 primary

Rep. Doug Lamborn raised slightly less than $37,000 in the second quarter of 2007, leaving him vulnerable, one expert said, to a primary challenge.

With two of the freshman Republican’s 2006 primary opponents considering runs against him again in 2008, Lamborn’s sum will do little to discourage another contest, political consultant Eric Sondermann said.

Lamborn’s campaign manager, Jon Hotaling, brushed off the prediction, saying Lamborn has concentrated on other matters and will have no trouble bringing in more cash. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, is holding a fundraiser for Lamborn next week in Washington, D.C., and will come to the district in August, he said.

“I think it’s where we’re supposed to be,” Hotaling said. “The congressman’s focus has been on serving constituents and building a new congressional office.”

According to numbers released Monday by the Federal Election Commission, Lamborn raised $36,862 from April through June. Of that, $2,250 came from individual donors, including a $100 donation from within the 5th Congressional District. The rest came from national political action committees.

Lamborn spent $36,832.07 — $29.82 less than what he raised — over the past three months on things such as fundraising, debt repayment and dues to the National Republican Congressional Committee. The total leaves him with $50,274 cash on hand.

“It strikes me that given the political situation, Doug has one overriding imperative, which is to look and be as formidable as possible, and this fundraising for the second quarter does not meet that test,” Sondermann said. “This is a weak fundraising report by any mark, particularly for one who may be in a fight for his political life.” Former Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce vice president Jeff Crank and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn are considering runs against Lamborn.