Republican Ryan Graham took the lead in early unofficial returns in El Paso County\u2019s Commission District 1 primary, while incumbent Lauren Nelson pulled ahead in District 5.<\/p>\n
Democrat Yolanda Avila was leading for her party\u2019s District 5 nomination as of 9 p.m.<\/p>\n
The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners is a five-person board that governs El Paso County. Commissioners serve four-year terms.<\/p>\n
District 1 <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
District 1 encompasses north-central El Paso County. The outgoing commissioner, Holly Williams, is term-limited. <\/p>\n
Graham said he was still cautious about the results but looking forward to a general election campaign. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be back working at it tomorrow,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
District 5<\/p>\n
Avila, a former Colorado Springs City Councilwoman, had 71% of the vote in Democratic primary preliminary results. Christian Seale was trailing with 29%.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a lot of grassroots support throughout this district,\u201d Avila said.<\/p>\n
Among the Republicans, Nelson, the incumbent, had 64% of the vote. Former El Paso County GOP chair Vickie Tonkins had 36%.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will continue to make sure government safeguards individual freedoms, respects private property and protects taxpayers,\u201d Nelson said. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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