A former Army officer is facing off against a researcher and teacher in the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn.

The 5th Congressional District includes Colorado Springs and portions of El Paso County, and it relies heavily on congressional decisions to fund its five military bases and support about 94,000 veterans in the county. Lamborn has represented the district since 2006 and is the only Colorado lawmaker on the House Armed Services Committee, a group that makes key funding decisions for the military.

Veteran Joe Reagan and educator River Gassen are competing for the chance to face a Republican in November in the heavily right-leaning district.

The Gazette asked the candidates to outline their positions on key issues, with an emphasis on foreign conflicts and military investment.

River Gassen

Website: riverforcolorado.com

What is your position on continued funding for Ukraine?

I believe that we should support Ukraine and that the U.S. should also be very cautious of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and the dangers he may pose to democracies around the world.

Ukraine has been a U.S. ally since 1991, and I do think that they must be able to defend themselves against the unprovoked attack on their nation.

We made a commitment to Ukraine when they dismantled their nuclear weapons and we must uphold this agreement and protect them from Russian aggression.

What is your position on the Israel-Hamas war?

I believe we should always look for the most peaceful approach to any conflict resolution. I also believe that all people have a right to have freedom and liberty akin to a country of their own. To that end, a cease-fire must be in place and we should be available to assist in any peace negotiations to end the war.

Would you vote for a ban on abortion at the national level or, in the contrary, to codify the elements of Roe v. Wade?

I believe in a person’s fundamental right to make reproductive health care decisions free from government interference and, as such, I would fully support a bill that codifies the elements of Roe v. Wade. We need to pass a national bill similar to what Colorado has passed in the Reproductive Health Equity Act. Every person has a right to privacy to make family decisions and live their own family values.

What can Congress do about immigration? What specific proposals would you support?

The United States is a country of immigrants and, as such, our economy depends on those contributions within the workforce and the consumer base. We need to have pathways to citizenship for our undocumented population. We need bills that establish a proficient and secure process for our immigrants who are looking to contribute their labor, resources and money to find their own American Dream. Congress should appropriate more resources to efficiently provide the facilitation of the influx of those looking for the opportunity to live and thrive here. We need immigration laws that uphold our own U.S. and international laws that respect the humanity and dignity of those who look to the U.S. for refuge. America has always represented the greatest freedoms that masses have risked their lives to come here to find their liberty and pursuit of happiness, and we should continue to honor those who wish to share in that freedom and opportunity.

What can Congress do to address cost-of-living concerns, including bringing down inflation and making things more affordable?

Inflation occurs when the demand is greater than the supply of products and services. We need to create incentives for companies that create training programs that increase our workforce. We must work with unions that develop skilled labor that can aid and fill the gap in our supply chain. We must also hold corporations accountable; we need to create guardrails and safety nets for companies to prevent them from overcharging working families across our nation; companies whose top-level executives’ salaries are excessive and are thousands of times greater than the average worker; corporations that have exorbitant profit margins, who are unnecessarily inflating prices well beyond the cost of production. We need to make corporations pay their fair share of taxes to invest in education and training. We must keep jobs in the U.S., making it more accessible for our residents so we have plentiful supply of human resources to match the demands of our growing economy.

How would you fight to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs?

I support President Joe Biden’s decision in keeping Space Command headquarters in Colorado Springs. I would advocate in Washington and look for more appropriations to support Space Command and the increased exploration and research of Space Command and continue to collaborate with the Pentagon to further its missions and success.

Do you support the creation of a Space National Guard?

Yes I support the creation of it. Our ability to study and explore space and understand the science of it has greatly benefited society and to humankind. The Air National Guard have already been conducting space missions for 25 years with most units right here in Colorado.

What do you see as the most pressing military or veteran needs in El Paso County?

For our veterans, we need to provide the care and wellness they deserve, and not leave them subjected to long waiting periods for crucial care.

For our military, the most pressing need is development of innovations and technology. The military needs to gather intelligence and strengthen cybersecurity. The most dangerous threats are the ones we don’t know about and cannot identify, including cyberthreats that could also be infiltrating our communications, pipelines and financial security. Investing in research and technology will increase our readiness while minimizing the need for combat, keeping our troops, country, and our allies safe. Our military needs to have the ability to detect all threats, either domestic or foreign, that pose any and all risks to our national security.

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Joe Reagan

Website: reaganforcolorado.com

What is your position on continued funding for Ukraine?

I would want to see the details and where any U.S. taxpayer dollars are being spent to make sure they’re being spent wisely. But it is important we stand up to Vladimir Putin and Russian aggression, and I stand firmly behind our allies.

What is your position on the Israel-Hamas war?

Ultimately, this conflict will continue until the Palestinian people have their own state that can exist peacefully next to a Jewish state of Israel. However, we need to be clear: Israel has a right to defend herself and go after the Hamas terrorists who carried out and planned the Oct. 7 attack. But I’m deeply concerned about the thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza who have been killed by widespread bombing. And as an infantry officer in the Army, I know that Israel must do more to reduce civilian casualties, and they should.

Would you vote for a ban on abortion at the national level or, in the contrary, to codify the elements of Roe v. Wade?

I do not support a ban on abortion and I would vote to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. MAGA Republicans, who claim to support limited government, want judges and bureaucrats involved in women’s medical decisions when that decision should be left between a woman and her doctor. This debate is about controlling women’s bodies, not protecting life. Women and children are dying in states with restricted access to reproductive care, and I will fight to restore abortion access there. We must protect women’s health and rights by ensuring all women have access to safe, legal abortions and comprehensive reproductive care.

What can Congress do about immigration? What specific proposals would you support?

Congress can address immigration by passing comprehensive, bipartisan legislation like the recent bipartisan agreement blocked by (Make America Great Again) extremists. This policy included funding for increased Border Patrol staffing, asylum reform, combating the illicit drug trade, and creating legitimate pathways to citizenship for law abiding undocumented immigrants. It’s disappointing they’re playing politics instead of solving these urgent issues.

I support legislation that enhances border security and provides fair asylum processes while addressing the root causes of migration. Additionally, we must hold corporations that are exploiting them accountable. Immigrants who come here to work and don’t commit crimes deserve protection and fair treatment.

What can Congress do to address cost-of-living concerns, including bringing down inflation and making things more affordable?

Congress can take several steps. Locally, rising insurance premiums are a significant issue, driven by increased risks such as wildfires. We need to combat these risks to stabilize premiums. Additionally, reducing barriers for first-time homebuyers is essential. We must balance responsible development with the need for more middle-income housing and provide assistance to those entering the housing market.

Our growth must be sustainable and take into consideration our water resources. Preserving our parks and natural spaces is also crucial for maintaining quality of life. Furthermore, increasing energy sovereignty by investing in clean energy will help reduce costs and improve efficiency. By being more efficient with water use, we can support both current residents and future development. These measures will help make living more affordable while ensuring sustainable growth and preserving our natural environment.

How would you fight to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs?

As the only veteran in this race, and as someone who has worked on Department of Defense space missions, it’s essential to emphasize our region’s strategic advantages. This includes leveraging existing the unique infrastructure at Peterson, Schriever and Cheyenne Mountain. Our area’s experienced workforce in aerospace and defense, along with its supportive local community and government, is crucial, and we must continue to ensure we work with installation commanders and mission managers to maintain that competitiveness. Continued investment in research and development facilities like the Catalyst Campus, educational institutions and technology initiatives will further solidify Colorado Springs as the rightful home of Space Command.

We must also take into account the issues raised during the Air Force’s assessment process. Cost of living and health care access were major concerns that we need to address in order to maintain and grow our national security space mission set.

Do you support the creation of a Space National Guard?

Yes. I would support the passage of H.R. 3048, the Space National Guard Establishment Act. Creating a Space Guard delivers the most cost-effective solution to the Space Force. The Space Guard would deliver mission ready equipment and human talent management options that seek to retain trained and qualified active-duty talent via continuum of service. Existing members of Guard units with a space mission bring decades of space and technology experience, and most work full time in engineering, aerospace and the cyber industries.

Given the increasing national security risks posed by our strategic competitors, we must ensure the Space Force has unimpeded access to the critical space warfighting capacity that our National Guard force delivers.

What do you see as the most pressing military or veteran needs in El Paso County?

As the only veteran in this race, I believe we need a “no-wrong-door” approach that prioritizes comprehensive support for service members, veterans and their families. This includes health care, education, employment and social services, meeting veterans where they are instead of forcing them to navigate a complex benefits system.

We must strengthen the VA and Department of Defense health care systems to ensure timely, high-quality medical services for service members, veterans and their families. This includes reducing wait times, expanding mental health services, and addressing specific issues like traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

While private and community care are important, it is the government’s duty to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served, along with their families, caregivers and survivors.

Our community attracts top service members and their families. To be truly military-friendly, we must also support military spouses by addressing barriers that prevent them from thriving in their careers.