Congressional candidate Stephany Rose Spaulding, one of five Democrats running for the seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, on Monday turned in petitions bearing just over 1,500 signatures to the secretary of state’s office, her campaign said.

Spaulding is the third candidate – and the first Democrat – in the 5th Congressional District to submit petitions to get on the June primary ballot.

“It’s definitely a relief, but it’s also very encouraging because it’s all been grassroots,” Spaulding, who teaches women’s and ethnic studies at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, told Colorado Politics. “A number of people have done it paying others, but this method we did, in terms of reaching out and talking to people one-on-one, has really gauged the pulse of our community. People are extremely fired up – but not just Democrats, there were a number of independents who were disappointed they couldn’t sign our petitions because they really wanted to. They want change.”

In order to make the June 26 primary ballot, congressional candidates must turn in 1,000 valid signatures from fellow party members registered in their district or win the support of at least 30 percent of the delegates to congressional district assemblies in late March and early April. Spaulding said she’s taking both routes to the ballot.

Other Democrats running for the Republican-leaning seat are Betty Field, Marcus Murphy, Lori Furstenberg and Kimberly Sugarman. According to the secretary of state’s office, Field and Furstenberg have been given the go-ahead to circulate petitions, which are due March 20.

Four Republicans are running against Lamborn, who is serving his sixth term in Congress: El Paso County Commissioner Darryl Glenn, state Sen. Owen Hill, retired Texas judge Bill Rhea and former Green Mountain Falls Mayor Tyler Stevens. Lamborn and Glenn have turned in petitions, and Glenn learned at the end of February that he has qualified for the ballot. Hill said last week he intends to seek the nomination through the assembly process, a possibility Lamborn’s campaign said the incumbent is also considering.

Spaulding said it doesn’t matter to her whether Lamborn or one of his challengers wins the GOP primary.

“For us, our mind is really on flipping the 5th, so whoever the Republican is, we’re ready for them,” she said.