Republicans face off in debate ahead of Colorado primary

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado Springs voters got a chance to hear from two candidates looking for their votes.

Jeff Crank debated Dave Williams at Centennial Hall Thursday ahead of the June 25th primary election. Both men are looking to replace the retiring Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn in Colorado’s U.S. House District 5.

Both candidates talked about their views on a number of issues including security at the southern border, the federal deficit, government spending, energy policy, and more.

When it comes to reducing government spending, Crank said, if elected, he plans to bring forward legislation to cut a number of federal agencies.

“The U.S. Department of Education is the first to go,” he said. “The National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for Democracies, many others, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and lots more.”

Williams said there needs to be changes in the Republican party itself.

“The best thing we can do is stop the government spending, don’t agree with leadership and the Republican, Washington establishment, uni-party even,” he said. “They want to spend you into oblivion, then act like they’re doing something good.”

The candidates traded shots at each other. Williams, who has an endorsement from Donald Trump, suggested Crank had not been sufficiently loyal to the former president. Crank shot back, accusing Williams of trying to divide Republicans with a non-issue.

The primary election is scheduled for June 25.