Republican voters will choose among four candidates in the upcoming primary election to represent El Paso County's third commissioner district, the most competitive seat up for grabs this year after the Board of County Commissioners redrew district boundaries in 2023. Colorado Springs Councilman David Leinweber, former Councilwoman Brandy Williams, state Rep. Don Wilson and neighborhood organizer and advocate Bill Wysong all face each other in the June 25 Republican primary race.
They hope to succeed fellow Republican Stan VanderWerf, who cannot run again for the seat because of term limits. Whichever GOP candidate wins the upcoming primary will face Naomi Lopez, a speech pathologist and the sole Democrat in the District 3 race, in the Nov. 5 general election.
The victor will serve a four-year term. The district covers central and western El Paso County and includes the west side and downtown Colorado Springs; the city of Manitou Springs; the towns of Green Mountain Falls, Palmer Lake and Monument; and unincorporated areas on the west side of the county including Ute Pass and those south of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. District 3 is El Paso County's most politically competitive district on average, with a deviation from zero, or "even" competitiveness, of just under 1% in favor of Republicans.
The candidates answered questions for The Gazette's primary election voter guide about roads funding, growth and wildfire concerns, and what makes them stand out from their opponents. .
