Colorado GOP spent $20,000 to boost its chairman’s congressional campaign, records show

The Colorado GOP spent nearly $20,000 to support its chairman’s campaign against a fellow Republican for a rare open congressional seat, federal campaign finance records show — though the party’s treasurer disputes that it is out any money.

Party Chair Dave Williams, a former state representative, is seeking the GOP nomination for the El Paso County-based 5th Congressional District seat over against longtime conservative activist Jeff Crank.

U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn announced earlier this year he wouldn’t seek re-election, creating an open seat in the heavily Republican district for the first time in nearly 20 years. The primary election is Tuesday.

The fight has moved beyond the usual debate about who the right Republican for the job is, though, as the party lifted rules against endorsing candidates in primary campaigns. It then lent institutional support to a group of its preferred candidates, including Williams.

At a recent Crank event, supporters cried foul as they waved pro-Williams attack mailers that were paid for by the party to tear down a fellow Republican. A Republican consultant has also filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint alleging Williams is using the party coffers as a “slush fund” for his campaign.

The recent filing, published at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, was the first to attach a dollar amount of the state GOP’s support to Williams’ campaign. The $19,445 was listed as a coordinated party expenditure. Those types of expenditures are generally when the party pays for goods or services in coordination with a candidate but does not give the money directly to the candidate, according to the FEC.

However, it lists the party both making the expenditure and as the recipient of the money. Tom Bjorklund, who is treasurer for both the Colorado GOP and Williams’ campaign, said in a text message that the state party “is not out a single penny.”

“Rest assured, the GOP is in the black,” Bjorklund said. “The Party isn’t out any money and our balance sheets and subsequent disclosure filings will show a net positive for Colorado Republicans.”

Williams’ next campaign finance filing, due July 15, will clear up any questions, he said.

Williams himself did not comment for this story. He told 9News earlier this week that “there has been no direct spending from the party for myself or any of the other candidates.”

In a statement, Crank campaign adviser Nick Trainer called the expenditure “just another example of the deception and outright lying of Dave Williams.”

“He claims he has the best interest of Republicans in mind, yet he uses limited party resources to personally enrich himself instead of beating Democrats,” Trainer said. “… Dave Williams is a corrupt liar and on Tuesday, voters in El Paso County will reject him.”

Crank’s campaign reported raising about $510,000 through early June. That’s double Williams’ $251,000 total fundraising, which includes a $100,000 loan. Williams has also faced a deluge of outside money against his candidacy, with one group spending more than $1.2 million to oppose him.