Colorado Springs – The race for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District has taken a personal turn. Republican candidate Jeff Crank (R) has been accused by his Democratic opponent, Jessica Killin (D), of running television ads that displayed images of Killin’s family home, prompting the Killin family to increase security measures.
Killin describes heightened security concerns
Killin told KRDO13 Investigates that two ads aired in the past month showing a picture of her Colorado Springs residence. One ad was produced by the Crank campaign, and the other by the ‘No Going Back’ political action committee. “We have very significant security at the house now because honestly, it’s dangerous and it’s frightening,” Killin said. “My daughter was really worried.”
She added that a gardener reported a vehicle driving up to the property and recording the house after the ads began running.
Legal perspective on broadcast obligations
Seth Williams, a telecommunications attorney, explained that broadcasters face strict licensing rules that limit their ability to edit or pull candidate‑sponsored content. “If broadcasters receive cease‑and‑desist letters, they risk losing their license if they don’t meet the reasonable access obligation for candidates,” Williams said.
Campaign responses
The Crank campaign declined an interview but issued a statement that characterized Killin’s complaints as a “desperation” tactic. The statement accused Killin of “bullying” television stations and referenced her recent purchase of a Colorado home, calling her a “Liberal DC Lobbyist.” We disagree with the pejorative labeling of a candidate as a “Liberal DC Lobbyist,” as it adds partisan bias without substantive evidence.
The statement also alleged that Killin’s campaign funded her run with profits from stock trades while she served as a senior aide to former President Joe Biden. Those claims are not directly relevant to the safety concerns raised by the family and appear intended to distract from the core issue.
‘No Going Back’ PAC remains silent
KRDO13 Investigates attempted to contact the ‘No Going Back’ PAC for comment but received no response as of 11:00 p.m. Monday.
Impact on the congressional race
The controversy highlights the increasingly aggressive nature of campaign advertising in tightly contested districts. While both campaigns claim to be focused on policy, the personal nature of these ads raises questions about the balance between robust political discourse and the safety of candidates’ families.
Local voters will likely weigh these tactics alongside each candidate’s policy positions as the primary election approaches.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
