Candidate conflict at 5th CD debate in El Paso County | Election Coverage

Debate rules momentarily broke down at a Congressional District 5 debate Monday evening hosted by The Gazette, KOAA and the El Pomar Foundation, as the intraparty conflict between Republicans Jeff Crank and Dave Williams came to a boil onstage. 

Held at the Centennial Hall and moderated by KOAA’s Alasyn Zimmerman, the debate covered a range of topics impacting the district that roughly encompasses El Paso County, including affordable housing, military assets in Colorado Springs and national immigration policy.

At the debate were Democratic candidates River Gassen and Joe Reagan, along with Williams and Crank. 

While Gassen, a scientist and educator, and Reagan, a veteran, businessman and nonprofit leader, made the case for their experience in their respective backgrounds, the Republican candidates took a more adversarial stance toward each other. The two built on attacks that emerged in campaign material and previous debates. 

Williams, the current chair of the Colorado Republican Party who has identified his campaign as “America First” and who secured former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, made frequent mention of Crank’s former employment with political action group Americans for Prosperity and allegiance with retiring U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn.  

“This district is going to elect a conservative Republican or not,” said Williams in his closing remarks. 

Former radio host Crank, in turn, distanced himself from the retiring congressman who endorsed him, saying he would be more of a “leader” in Congress. He also weighed in when Williams fielded a question on his family’s ties to China. 

The conflict culminated in two unstructured back-and-forths between the candidates, one of which elicited boos from some attendees.

As the primary approaches on June 25, here are three issues that showcased the candidates’ perspectives. 

Affordable Housing in Colorado Springs 

In response to a question about how to make housing affordable in the district, Williams said the solution was to discourage civil litigation against home developers and to improve the economy. 

“Simply put, we don’t have enough supply to meet demand,” he said of housing. 

Crank also mentioned “bad economic policy,” particularly high interest rates he said were caused by excessive federal spending. 

Reagan said that he was concerned about rising insurance rates caused by natural disasters like wildfires. He said he would look to better fund and inform area firefighting and fire mitigation projects.  

He also advocated for assistance for middle class first-time homebuyers. 

“One of the biggest barriers is getting that down payment,” he said. 

Gassen said she would work with the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent expansion into areas that cannot support development. 

“There are certain areas in Colorado Springs and in our district especially where, you know, we are expanding into a desert,” she said. 

Military Assets in Colorado Springs 

The candidates weighed in on their ideas about how to keep the military in Colorado Springs.

Reagan said that he was concerned about residential and commercial “encroachment” around military installations that might restrict the activities that can be done on base. He also said he would work on a federal level to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity. 

“I want to keep Colorado units in Colorado,” said Gassen. 

Crank and Williams also agreed on the issue of fighting for the district to retain its military presence. Calling the possibility of losing bases a “tragedy for the taxpayers,” Crank said he worked to retain Fort Carson in the 1990s and would do so again. 

Williams, who has in the past faced questions over whether he would back an overturned decision by Trump to move Space Command from Colorado to Alabama, said he would, if elected with the former president, use his position to advocate for Colorado Springs. 

“I’d certainly meet with him, certainly call him up and just have a conversation and explain why Colorado Springs is the best place to have it,” he said. 

Immigration policy 

Crank and Williams both said they would close down immigration at the U.S. border with Mexico and support the enforcement of mass deportation. Williams said he would also seek to “punish” sanctuary cities. 

Crank said he would consider a “solution” for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients if the legislation was tied with border security. 

Pointing to a failed bipartisan bill on immigration, Reagan accused Republicans of making the issue about “what is politically advantageous.” He said that, while border security was important, reasons for immigration should be addressed through foreign intervention in Central and South America. 

“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals, they’re coming here to work,” said Reagan. 

Gassen said she would work to fix the asylum system to “relieve stress” from border security agents.