A rematch is shaping up in Colorado Springs' contentious 5th Congressional District.

Republican Jeff Crank, still smarting from a narrow defeat in a crowded primary field last November, filed papers with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday that will allow him to start organizing his campaign.

The widely anticipated announcement means that Doug Lamborn, who survived the primary and won the general election, will have to fight fiercely to keep his seat in the heavily Republican district.

"I thought about it long and hard," Crank said. "Having gone through the last campaign, I do know the toll it takes on your personal life."

But supporters persuaded him to run, citing his leadership skills and his ability to unite rather than divide, he said.

"It should be exciting," Colorado College political science professor Bob Loevy said. "But it will symbolize the current problem facing the Republican Party. It is divided between social conservatives and moderate conservatives."

Crank, viewed as a more moderate than Lamborn, was endorsed in November by retiring Congressman Joel Hefley. He can probably count on Hefley's support again this go-round.

Lamborn campaign spokesman Jon Hotaling called Crank's move "unremarkable news."

"The voters wanted a conservative leader," Hotaling said. "So we're confident that if the congressman decides to run again, he'll have an outstanding record to run on, and the support of his district."