Nearly 200 people showed up Wednesday night to see two of three Republican candidates in the 5th Congressional District square off in what was billed as the only formal debate before the Aug. 12 primary election.

But only a handful hadn’t already made up their minds. Most who packed into a hot and stuffy Centennial Hall downtown wore Jeff Crank or Bentley Rayburn T-shirts or stickers or carried signs.

Incumbent Doug Lamborn, who defeated Crank and Rayburn two years ago, didn’t show, telling debate organizer, the Lincoln Club of Colorado, he had important votes to cast in Washington, D.C.

One of the fence-sitters was Michael Fansler, who said he’s not impressed so far with Lamborn’s performance. But after the 90-minute debate – laced with cheers, boos, a few heckles and standing ovations – Fansler was still undecided. “I’ll have to do some more research,” he said.

Gail Farrar, another undecided voter, said the $7 admission was worth it because she learned a thing or two about the candidates. But she voiced what political observers have been saying for months. “You know,” she said, “they’re pretty much the same.”

The debate indeed failed to reveal evidence of distinct differences between the two challengers.

Crank, a Colorado Springs businessman, and Rayburn, a retired Air Force officer, agree the federal government needs to be scaled back, that the nation needs to get tough on immigration, that the United States should stay in Iraq for the long haul and that a congressman needs to visit the district often, not settle into the comforts of the Beltway.

Both even said they have the same hero: Jesus Christ.

The most heated moment came during a bitter exchange over a poll done in late May that the two agreed would determine who stayed in the race to face Lamborn and who would bow out. The poll showed Crank as the stronger challenger, but Rayburn refused to throw in the towel, calling the poll flawed.

Crank said he agreed to the deal, noting he felt he would win despite the outcome. That’s because, he said, if he stayed in the race, he would face Lamborn one on one. If he was forced out, he would leave with his character intact. “I would have gotten out of the race doing what I know I should do,” he said.

Jaw clenched, Rayburn responded, “It’s very difficult for me to have my integrity questioned.” He was greeted with boos when he noted the Housing and Building Association, which brokered the deal between the two candidates, called the poll invalid due to irregularities in polling methods.

Rayburn said he was “dumbfounded” the Crank campaign wasn’t troubled by the irregularities. But Crank countered that had the roles been reversed, two things would have occurred. “First, there would be an expectation I would get out of the race,” he said, “and second, I would.”Contact the writer: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazettedev.gazette.com

Mark Tedder is a music minister with the Beijing International Christian Fellowship. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE