Overview:
Gabe Evans and Manny Rutinel clashed in Colorado’s 8th District debate as voters raised concerns about jobs and health care.
Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans and Democratic challenger Manny Rutinel spent much of their first scheduled debate attacking each other over Donald Trump, socialism, the Iran war and Jeffrey Epstein.
Inside the sold-out Berthoud auditorium, many voters were listening for something closer to home.
“I’m surprised it really wasn’t brought up tonight,” said Weld County resident Greg Yielding, who wanted to hear more about agricultural labor.
Yielding, chief executive of the National Onion Association, was one of several attendees whose concerns kept returning to jobs, health care and the cost of living during the Oct. 7 debate for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.
The Berthoud Weekly Surveyor hosted the debate at the Grace Place Auditorium in Berthoud, sponsored by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Evans and Rutinel clashed over immigration, public safety, health care, energy, data centers and the economy in one of the country’s closely watched congressional races.
Evans, the Republican incumbent, repeatedly characterized Rutinel as too far left for the district, at one point calling him “the most radical candidate ever nominated.” Rutinel rejected the claim that he was a Democratic Socialist and quickly returned fire. “I’m always surprised by your ability to lie,” Rutinel said.
The exchanges were occasionally drowned out by a rowdy crowd. Supporters jeered and chanted, and one attendee was escorted out after approaching the stage and shouting at Evans.
For Yielding, however, the night’s biggest omission was agricultural labor.
“I have seen some of the votes that Manny’s had in legislature, and living here in Colorado, he has put a lot of regulations on farmers,” Yielding said.
He praised Evans’ work on agricultural labor issues and said those policies mattered more to him than the candidates’ fights over Trump or Epstein.
“Evans has really come forward, especially on the agriculture labor issue,” Yielding said. “I’m surprised it really wasn’t brought up tonight.”
Across the room, members of the Colorado Carpenters made their preference clear. Wearing bright orange vests and carrying Rutinel signs reading “LOWER COSTS,” union members frequently cheered for the Democratic challenger.
“We believe in what Manny Rutinel’s campaign is pushing because we believe that people do deserve a good-paying job, good-paying wages and great benefits to be able to support their family,” said Aaron Contreras, a spokesperson for Local 555.
Rutinel made affordability central to several of his attacks on Evans, including his opposition to the ongoing war with Iran.
“Time and time again you have sided with Donald Trump 100% of the time, whether it’s to raise our gas and diesel prices by sending us into this forever war in Iran, putting American lives at risk and raising prices back at home,” Rutinel said.
Evans countered by pointing to his support for tax cuts, small businesses and the oil and gas industry.
“I’m fighting for common sense,” Evans said. “I’m fighting for lower costs. I’m fighting for more money back in your pocket.”
The candidates also clashed over the growth of data centers. Rutinel criticized federal tax policies he said benefit the industry and called for greater local control over where facilities are built.
“When I get to Congress, I’m gonna make sure that there are sufficient guardrails on these data center facilities, so that communities get the full say as to whether they get put in their neighborhoods,” Rutinel said.
Health care produced another sharp divide. Evans argued that Medicaid spending needs stronger fraud controls and defended his record on federal health care funding. Rutinel, a supporter of the Affordable Care Act, criticized Evans over cuts to Medicaid and his position on enhanced ACA subsidies.
Those exchanges mattered to Wilson, a disabled veteran from Greeley who said accessing care has become increasingly difficult.
“Health care for veterans has went down an unbelievable amount in the last two years,” Wilson said. “You now have to wait a year to get an eye exam. It’s just ridiculous.”
For Wilson, that concern is tied to the same issue that surfaced repeatedly throughout the night. His biggest concern heading into the Nov. 3 election, he said, is the cost of living.
That may help explain why, beneath the chants, accusations and national political fights, both candidates kept returning to the same promise: They each say they can make life in the 8th District more affordable.
Voters will decide which argument they believe on Nov. 3.
