GOP distancing itself from Colorado Springs state House candidate

The Colorado Republican Party is trying to distance itself from a GOP candidate running for the state House.

Gordon Klingenschmitt of Colorado Springs has compared President Barack Obama to a demon and considers homosexuality a sin. He prevailed in a GOP primary this week.

State Republican Party chairman Ryan Call tells The Denver Post that Klingenschmitt does not speak on behalf of the party. Klingenschmitt told the paper he plans to continue a daily half-hour religious show broadcast on DirectTV.

House District 15 is heavily Republican, making Klingenschmitt the likely victor in November against Democrat Lois Fornander.

The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Mark Waller, who ran for state attorney general but withdrew.