Lamborn mostly on his own this time, supporter says

The leader of one of Congressman Doug Lamborn’s biggest supporters from the 2006 election said he’s hoping Lamborn won’t need help in his upcoming Republican primary.

But David Keating, executive director of the Club for Growth Political Action Committee, did not rule out a cash infusion into the 5th Congressional District primary if it appears Lamborn needs it to win.

The Club for Growth, a probusiness, anti-tax group known for investing heavily in GOP primaries for open seats, dumped $98,947 worth of radio and TV ads into Lamborn’s race last year, with $87,663 going into the contentious sixway Republican primary for the open seat. In addition, campaign watchers estimated that roughly $100,000 of Lamborn’s individual donations came from club supporters around the country who were urged in newsletters to give to the race.

Pundits have said the club ads, which included biting criticisms of primary opponents Jeff Crank and Lionel Rivera, contributed hugely to Lamborn’s winning the primary over Crank by less than 1,000 votes. Crank announced last month that he will run against Lamborn again in 2008, and 2006 primary third-place finisher Bentley Rayburn is expected to announce his candidacy next month.

The Washington D.C.-based newspaper The Hill reported Friday that Keating said Lamborn will be on his own as an incumbent. Keating said in a telephone interview, however, that’s not the full story.

The organization has maintained that incumbents should be able to run on their records and has preferred to give aid to first-time candidates in contested races, Keating explained.

But club officials have not ruled out seeking donations or buying ads for Lamborn if it appears he is in trouble, Keating said. The former state senator has a “very good record” so far in his term, he added.

“We think incumbents should be able to win on their own,” Keating said.

Crank, when he heard of the potential for a race without Club for Growth influence, said he hoped that such a scenario could lead to an election based more on issues.

He had a number of club ads pulled from radio and TV last year after disputing their accuracy regarding his record on taxes.

CONTACT THE WRITER: (303) 837-0613 or ed.sealover@gazette.com