Republican Jeff Crank continues to lead the vote for the Colorado District 5 House Seat

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Monday, Nov. 6th, at 9:59 a.m. Republican nominee, Jeff Crank, continues to lead the vote for the Colorado District 5 House Seat. It's estimated that 68% of the state's votes are in, with about a 30,000-lead vote for Crank.

Our 11 News Team attended both Crank's and the Democratic nominee, River Gassen's, watch parties.

The Republican Watch Party was at the Boot Barn, and the Democratic Watch Party was held in Old Colorado City.

Jeff Crank, a Pueblo native, with this being his third time running, said he was humbled to see all the supporters who showed out for the election.

"It is incredible to think that there are 100,000 people who voted for you, to send you to go be their voice in Washington DC," Crank said. "That is what I tell people who voted for me and for people who didn't, I am going to earn your support and I'm going to do everything I can to represent you. This is not about hatred for another political party. This is not about getting after somebody else. It is about ideas. At the end of the day, we are all Americans, who come together to support whoever wins the presidency, and this Congressional Seat."

Crank said he's always had a record of being a conservative and stated that it was easy after the primary to get voters to understand what he stood for. He also spoke on his endorsement of Former President, Donald Trump.

"I think people are tired of the nonsense," Crank explained. "I think they are tired of the border stuff, and that will be the message of this nationally we are seeing. I think President Trump is going to win."

On the other end, River Gassen, a Colorado native and first-time candidate, was at the Democratic Watch party until the very end. Gassen told 11 News, how proud she is of her team and the work they put in. She said while she trailed behind Crank all night, this doesn't mean it's over.

"We've done everything we could to reach voters tonight but after tonight, we're still going to have to keep fighting you know, it's a re-election every two years, so I want voters to know that I am still going to be here, and I'm still going to be earning your vote every two years," Gassen said.

Gassen told 11 News, she's all in favor of being a country that uses renewable energy and recognizes the critical importance of voters making sure they have the rights to their bodies.

"If you had asked me a few years ago, if I thought that I would have to fight for the same rights that my mother and grandmother already fought for, I would say 'Of course not, not here in America,' Gassen explained. "But that is where we are... but I know we can do better, and I know we can keep fighting."