The challenger in the 5th Congressional District race might seem a perfect match for the region’s conservative, retired military voters – a former Air Force officer, a fiscal conservative and moderate on social issues.

But he’s a Democrat in a region ruled by Republicans.

In a match-up that mirrors the 2006 race, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, Hal Bidlack, is taking on Republican lawmaker Doug Lamborn, who’s seeking a second term.

Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-1 in the district, which includes El Paso, Teller, Chaffee, Fremont, Lake and Park counties. It’s where 65 percent of voters went for George W. Bush in 2004, and where the Democrat seeking the House seat in 2006, Jay Fawcett, got 39 percent.

Fundraising mirrors the voter tally, with Lamborn amassing $565,642 through Sept. 30, compared with Bidlack’s $204,280, finance reports show.

Though a longshot, Bidlack hopes to ride the wave for change in the presidential race to snare enough of the 32 percent of unaffiliated voters to pull an upset.

He notes Lamborn drew only 44 percent of the primary vote, suggesting voters might want an alternative.

Lamborn said his edge doesn’t come from party affiliation but from values he shares with voters.

“People in my district know what I stand for,” he said, “limited government, individual responsibility, strong national defense. That goes a lot deeper than the party label behind my name.”One of four sons who grew up tending crops and cattle in eastern Kansas, Lamborn said his Christian roots resonate with district voters.

After putting himself through school working as a painter and law clerk, Lamborn took a job with an Omaha, Neb., law firm before moving to Colorado Springs in 1987. In the 1990s, he began a 12-year stretch in the state House and Senate.

Lamborn boasts of never supporting a tax increase, helping to secure funding for a veterans cemetery in Southern Colorado and making his conservative voice heard in Washington, even when it’s not popular.

“I was against the bailout,” he said, referring to the $700 billion financial rescue plan. “I want people to know that’s one example where I’ll make the tough decisions and I’ll do what I honestly feel is in the best interest of the people.”

Lamborn said he would “do my best” to work with Barack Obama, if the Democrat takes the White House.

“On general philosophical grounds, where we’re in disagreement, it will be necessary to state my disagreements and opposition, like tax hikes and spending hikes, that may not be best for the financial health of the country,” Lamborn said.

Bidlack agrees with Lamborn on some things: the need for a strong defense, the bailout bill and the right to bear arms. Bidlack got the National Rifle Association’s top score assigned to candidates who haven’t voted on gun issues.

But there’s plenty that separates them, such as Bidlack’s view the Bush administration has eaten away at constitutional rights and lacks a long-term energy policy.

One of four children of a teacher and a university dean in Michigan, Bidlack has three degrees in political science and is considered a constitutional scholar.

His 25 years in the Air Force included assignments at the White House and State Department. He also taught at the Air Force Academy.

After losing his wife to cancer five years ago, Bidlack took on extra duties as a military policeman before retiring in 2006.

Bidlack draws veterans benefits for several ailments, including bad dreams stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks he saw first-hand at the Pentagon.

It took him six months to receive benefits. He wants to change that, if elected, so veterans aren’t at risk of losing their homes before benefits kick in.

“You don’t have to be a veteran to serve this district,” he said, “but you ought to be.”

Bidlack said Bush, with Lamborn’s help, has helped the richest 2 percent of the population. “People in this district are smart enough to understand the government is supposed to work for everybody,” he said.

Bidlack said he would push for energy independence, not by drilling alone, but with alternative energy development, conservation, clean coal and nuclear power.

A Bidlack-funded poll conducted in mid-August found that when voters were told negative and positive things about both candidates, they polled about even – with Bidlack edging Lamborn 46 percent to 45 percent, with a 4.9 percent margin of error.

The poll also found, “Hal Bidlack is essentially unknown to voters.” Lamborn declined to release his polls.

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