jessica killin, the democratic nominee for colorado's 5th congressional district, announced on monday that she has secured endorsements from emily's list, moms fed up and elect democratic women. the endorsements come as killin's résumé includes a stint as chief of staff to former second gentleman doug emhoff, who faced public accusations of an affair and alleged physical abuse.
emily's list, which bills itself as the nation's largest resource for women in politics, issued a statement praising killin's "commitment to advancing policies that support women and families." moms fed up, a group that seeks to elect mothers who will "enhance the lives of families across the nation," also released a press release endorsing killin. elect democratic women added its support, and killin responded, "as a woman who has navigated challenges in both professional and personal life, i understand firsthand the need for leaders who will stand up for women and families."
killin's connection to emhoff has been a point of contention. emhoff, the husband of former vice president kamala harris, publicly admitted in august 2024 that he had an affair with his children's nanny while still married. the revelation contributed to his divorce. shortly after the admission, an ex‑girlfriend alleged that emhoff had slapped her and described him as "disgusted" with his own public persona. emhoff denied ever striking a woman.
additional allegations surfaced in british tabloids. former colleagues at the law firm venable described emhoff as a "misogynist" who allegedly retaliated against female staff who did not return his flirtations. they also claimed he hired a part‑time model as a "trophy secretary" and hosted male‑only cocktail gatherings in the office. those reports have not been independently verified, but they have shaped public perception of emhoff's conduct.
killin, a former army paratrooper who served as emhoff's chief of staff from 2023 until the end of the biden administration, did not return requests for comment on the allegations. the women's groups that endorsed her also declined to elaborate on the decision.
the endorsements arrive as killin faces a competitive race against incumbent republican rep. jeff crank. crank has held the seat since the district was created after the 1970 census, but his margin of victory has narrowed in recent cycles. a july poll commissioned by the democratic campaign showed killin trailing crank by just one percentage point. the democratic congressional campaign committee has labeled the district "winnable" and is providing financial and strategic assistance.
colorado's 5th district stretches from the foothills of the rocky mountains to the plains surrounding colorado springs. the area has traditionally leaned republican, but demographic shifts and changing attitudes on issues such as health care and climate policy have made it a target for democrats. in 2023 the city of colorado springs elected an independent mayor, marking the first time in more than four decades that a non‑republican won a major city office in the district.
killin's campaign narrative emphasizes pragmatic governance over partisan conflict. "i'm running for congress because washington needs leaders who are focused on actually getting things done, not partisan name‑calling and bitter culture wars," she told reporters at her campaign launch. she also positioned herself as part of "team normal," a phrase she used to describe voters tired of "chaos, uncertainty, partisan bickering, tribalism."
the democratic congressional campaign committee's involvement reflects a broader strategy to flip suburban districts that have shown signs of moving away from the republican brand. the committee's 2024 budget allocated additional resources to colorado, a state that voted for the democratic presidential candidate in 2020 and has a split congressional delegation. success in the 5th district could signal momentum for democrats in other western swing districts.
killin's other endorsements highlight her stance on gun policy. giffords pac praised her support for "commonsense gun safety measures" such as expanded background checks, waiting periods and extreme risk protection orders, commonly known as red‑flag laws. those proposals have faced opposition in el paso county, a large portion of the district that declared itself a "second amendment preservation county" in 2019. the county's sheriff, joseph roybal, called recent state restrictions on certain semiautomatic firearms "the most egregious and unconstitutional anti‑second amendment bill in colorado's history." a local gun shop owner told the pikes peak courier that sales surged after the law's passage, saying his store was "jam‑packed" and that he had to restock three times.
the gun‑policy debate is a microcosm of the district's political divide. colorado springs has a visible open‑carry culture, while younger voters in the foothills and university‑town areas tend to favor stricter regulations. killin's position aims to bridge that gap by emphasizing "responsible ownership" while advocating for measures intended to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals deemed a risk.
the controversy surrounding emhoff adds a layer of complexity to killin's campaign. progressive women's groups, including emily's list, have faced criticism for endorsing a candidate who worked closely with a figure accused of misogynistic behavior. critics argue that the endorsements send mixed signals about the organizations' commitment to combating gender‑based violence. supporters counter that killin's own record, including her military service and legislative experience, qualifies her to represent women's interests regardless of her former boss's actions.
the upcoming november election will test whether killin's blend of establishment support, women's‑group endorsements and a moderate campaign message can overcome the district's historical republican tilt. if she wins, it would be the first democratic victory in the 5th district since its creation and could influence the balance of power in the house, where democrats are seeking to retain a slim majority.
for now, both campaigns are sharpening their messages. crank's team continues to emphasize lower taxes, support for the energy sector and a strong national defense, themes that have resonated with the district's rural and veteran populations. killin, meanwhile, is focusing on health‑care affordability, climate‑resilient infrastructure and protecting voting rights, issues that have mobilized younger and suburban voters in recent cycles.
as the race heads into the final stretch, voters in colorado's 5th district will weigh a candidate's policy positions against the backdrop of personal controversies that have followed her from the white house to the campaign trail. the outcome will offer a snapshot of how national narratives about gender, accountability and party identity play out in a district that sits at the crossroads of traditional conservatism and emerging progressive momentum.