(The Center Square) – Dave Williams, current chair of the Colorado Republican Party and a former state representative, is running to represent the 5th Congressional District after U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn announced he’s not running for reelection on Friday.

Williams announced his candidacy in an email from the state party’s account, noting he would maintain his role as the party chairman during the primary election.

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“As our State Party Bylaws allow, I will remain as chairman through the course of the primary election where we will continue our work of rebuilding Party infrastructure, preparing for caucus and assemblies, continuing our important lawsuit battles to keep President Trump on the ballot and overturn the open primary, and exposing out-of-touch Democrats for being radical and corrupt,” the Colorado Springs Republican said in the email.

Williams previously ran in the Republican primary for the district in 2022, losing to Lamborn, who’s retiring at the end of the year.  

Under Williams, who took over as party chairman early last year after serving in the state House for three terms, the Colorado GOP appealed a state Supreme Court ruling barring former President Donald Trump from appearing on the primary election ballot to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District and 4th Congressional District are both open races, as Rep. Ken Buck said in November he would retire from the 4th District, and Rep. Lauren Boebert said she’s switching from her 3rd District to running for Buck’s seat. 

The 5th District covers Colorado Springs and El Paso County and includes a large contingent of U.S. military personnel as well as defense industry contractors.