Springs mayor endorses Bentley Rayburn for Congress

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera on Wednesday endorsed Bentley Rayburn's candidacy to represent the state's 5th Congressional District.

Rivera cited Rayburn's military experience and leadership capacity for throwing his support behind the retired Air Force general. He said Rayburn could use his contacts in the military to encourage the Department of Defense and military contractors to expand operations in El Paso County.

"There's no doubt he's going to protect conservative principles that are so important in El Paso County," Rivera said at a meeting outside City Hall with news reporters

Rayburn is seeking the Republican nomination in the Aug. 12 primary election. His opponents include incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn and Jeff Crank, a former vice president of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Lamborn was the winner in 2006, when he ran against Rayburn, Crank, Rivera and former El Paso County Commissioner Duncan Bremer. After Rivera lost the primary election two years ago, he endorsed Lamborn.

The 5th Congressional District includes El Paso, Teller, Fremont, Chaffee and Lake counties and most of Park County. Nearly 700,000 people live in the district.