Republican Ryan Graham took the lead in early unofficial returns in El Paso County’s Commission District 1 primary, while incumbent Lauren Nelson pulled ahead in District 5.
Democrat Yolanda Avila was leading for her party’s District 5 nomination as of 9 p.m.
The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners is a five-person board that governs El Paso County. Commissioners serve four-year terms.
District 1
In the first round of results posted at 7:30 p.m., Graham was leading at 64% against opponent Lindsay Moore. The winner will face Democrat Gavin Rainey in the fall general election.
District 1 encompasses north-central El Paso County. The outgoing commissioner, Holly Williams, is term-limited.
Graham said he was still cautious about the results but looking forward to a general election campaign.
“We’ll be back working at it tomorrow,” he said.
District 5
Avila, a former Colorado Springs City Councilwoman, had 71% of the vote in Democratic primary preliminary results. Christian Seale was trailing with 29%.
“I had a lot of grassroots support throughout this district,” Avila said.
Among the Republicans, Nelson, the incumbent, had 64% of the vote. Former El Paso County GOP chair Vickie Tonkins had 36%.
“I will continue to make sure government safeguards individual freedoms, respects private property and protects taxpayers,” Nelson said.
District 5 is in central El Paso County and covers much of Colorado Springs. After former commissioner Cami Bremer resigned last year, Nelson was elected in a vacancy race.