By Savannah Eller | Colorado Springs Gazette
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.