Free Republic

Republican state Sen. Doug Lamborn's fiercest opponent in the 5th District race isn't his Democratic foe. It's the Republican he's trying to succeed -- 10-term Rep. Joel Hefley. Mr. Lamborn is running neck and neck with Democrat Jay Fawcett ... Shortly after Mr. Lamborn won a six-candidate primary on Aug. 8, Mr. Hefley, who is retiring, said he would refuse to endorse the Republican candidate, pointing to what he described as his "sleazy, dishonest campaign." That stinging rebuke, coming from the highly regarded Mr. Hefley, delivered a devastating blow to Mr. Lamborn's candidacy. Several other prominent Republicans soon joined Mr....

More than 30 Iraq and Persian Gulf War veterans have entered congressional races across the country as Democrats, hoping to capitalize on their military experience to topple the incumbent Republican majority. In Colorado, two former military men, Jay Fawcett and Bill Winter, are vying for the House seats of two strong, entrenched Republicans: Rep. Joel Hefley of the 5th Congressional District and Rep. Tom Tancredo of the 6th Congressional District, respectively. "Do we understand military and foreign affairs? You bet," Fawcett said. "Most of us have been to the point where you get a direct dose of military and foreign...