Former radio personality Jeff Crank and state Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams are in a fierce primary race to replace U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn in the 5th Congressional District, drawing national endorsements and outside spending.

Former President Donald Trump has backed Williams, while the U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed Crank.

The race also has attracted outside spending by political-action committees and independent expenditure groups. America Leads Action has spent about $623,000 campaigning against Williams and Americans For Prosperity has spent about $374,000 to back Crank, according to federal campaign spending records. Williams has drawn on state party funds to back his campaign, a move that triggered a complaint to the Federal Election Commission.

The two are competing to represent a district with five military installations and tens of thousands of veterans. It’s a place where congressional decisions have direct impact on base infrastructure and the pay and benefits that residents receive.

The victor in the June primary will face a Democrat in November.

The Gazette asked the candidates to explain their positions on foreign conflicts, pressing military issues and top domestic issues, such as inflation and abortion.

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Jeff Crank

Website: jeffcrankforcongress.com

What is your position on continued funding for Ukraine?

I am opposed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the United States should do what it can to side with Ukraine. This should include sanctions and other diplomatic pressure on Russia. While the U.S. has just provided more aid to Ukraine, I want the U.S. to use the next months to perform an audit of the funds provided to Ukraine before supporting any additional funding. We need to ensure that aid to Ukraine isn’t going into the hands of corrupt leaders. In addition, before supporting additional aid, I need to see a timeline for victory by Ukraine. We cannot be sending endless aid to Ukraine with no victory in sight.

What is your position on the Israel-Hamas war?

I stand strongly for the state of Israel. Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 was a barbaric, sinister attack, and Israel has every right to defend itself and to wipe Hamas off the face of the earth. Israel was viciously attacked despite their decades-long recognition of the right of Palestinians to coexist. Until Hamas and the Palestinian people recognize Israel’s right to exist, there is no room for discussion or diplomacy. The U.S. government should stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel and, while I do not support the vast majority of foreign aid, I will always support foreign aid to America’s closest ally, Israel.

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 am 100% pro-life and endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Candidate Fund and the Family Policy Alliance. I served on the board of Life Network and was the recipient of Life Network’s Champion of Life Award. I oppose all federal funding of abortion, including federal funding to Planned Parenthood. I was proud to see three of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominees join with the majority to overturn the ill-decided Roe v. Wade decision and return the decision to the states. That being said, I will always vote to affirm life and protect those that are most vulnerable. If legislation is put forward in Congress that bans abortion but has an exception for rape, incest or life of the mother, I will support such legislation.

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

Secure the border. The American people will not tolerate any compromise on border security, so getting control of our border is the first priority. There should be no amnesty and I strongly oppose the Biden executive order that allows up to 2,500 illegal immigrants to break the law a day. We should have laws and enforce them — that means zero illegal immigrants a day should be crossing. We need more Border Patrol agents, build Trump’s wall, more sensors, drones and, most importantly, a president with the guts to actually enforce U.S. immigration law — and that isn’t Joe Biden. We need to elect Donald Trump. Once border security is implemented and we have control, we can talk about fixing a broken system of immigration and should move to a more merit-based system that allows immigrants to come legally who will provide benefit to America, not take from America and her taxpayers.

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

Inflation is caused by government spending too much money, and the Biden administration has accelerated spending even beyond the record spending during COVID. America must get its spending under control. Excessive spending is causing inflation and driving up the cost of gas, food, clothing, utilities and other necessary expenses. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates to combat the inflation caused by the bad decisions of the Biden administration and this, in turn, is causing American families to struggle to afford housing. The federal government needs to seriously address spending and debt and must cut back on federal programs and agencies. We cannot tolerate additional canceling of student debt (which simply transfers debt to taxpayers), and we must roll back the size and scope of the federal government to slow inflation and to make life more affordable for American families.

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

I am the only candidate in this race who has worked to keep our military installations and missions in our community. For 30 years, I have worked for our community — to keep Fort Carson open in the 1990s and to keep missions in Colorado Springs and our military installations vibrant. The decision on Space Command should be made solely on military value and what is best for the American taxpayer. It should never be made on political considerations. If we can ensure a decision is made on those criteria, Colorado Springs will continue to be the home of Space Command. I have the endorsement of the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and a high likelihood of being appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. I will also work with our U.S. senators and members of our [House] delegation to ensure that Space Command remains in Colorado Springs.

Do you support the creation of a Space National Guard?

Yes, I do support the vision of a Space National Guard. I believe the space units within the Colorado National Guard serve a vital role in our national security, and the best way to preserve this critical capability is to keep them under Title 32 authority. The service members would be better administratively supported under a Space National Guard construct rather than being absorbed into the Space Force, as the Guard has decades of experience managing a combat reserve force.

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

When I talk with veterans in the 5th District, they tell me that access to quality health care is their most pressing need. We need more capacity in both the community and the VA health care system. Many veterans love the care they get at the VA, and many do not and would prefer community care. We need to ensure that veterans, not VA bureaucrats, decide which kind of care a veteran receives. It should always be up to the veteran. I supported — and worked toward the passage of the VA Mission Act, which was signed by President Trump. While that was a start in getting more access to community care, we need to pass the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which I will immediately cosponsor. This bill allows veterans enrolled in the VA system to immediately seek care in their communities without the approval of the VA.

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Dave Williams

Website: daveforcolorado.com

What is your position on continued funding for Ukraine?

As the only candidate endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, I would not vote to continue funding for Ukraine, especially when we need to stop the invasion on our southern border and fund border security. Furthermore, government bureaucrats even acknowledge they cannot account for all the money they’ve already sent and lost through fraud, waste and abuse because of Ukrainian corruption.

Ronald Reagan proved that the best policy is peace through strength and, to that end, the best thing we can do is reelect President Trump back into the White House to end the conflict by bolstering our national defense while eliminating woke policies that weaken our military.

What is your position on the Israel-Hamas war?

Israel has a fundamental right to exist and defend itself. After the horrific Oct. 7 terrorist attacks against innocent people, including Americans, we need to help Israel defeat Hamas while also stopping other terrorists who threaten our greatest ally in the Middle East region. Genesis 12:3 states, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” The United States needs to stand firmly with Israel, and as the next congressman for this district, you can count on me to do just that.

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

As the only candidate to be endorsed by Colorado for Life and with a proven legislative record, I would vote to ban abortion at the federal level, because states don’t get the right to do what is morally wrong. Unlike my opponent, I’m the only candidate in this race who will never vote for Planned Parenthood funding, even if it is placed into defense or omnibus spending bills that weak Republicans often compromise on.

Additionally, I would propose legislation to stop abortion tourism so those seeking abortions cannot cross state lines to have their unborn babies aborted. Lastly, I will fight to protect the unborn in our state while working with others to create policies that promote pregnancy resource centers and financial help for mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy.

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

As the America First candidate endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, you can count on me to work with the Trump administration to increase border security and enforcement, deport illegal aliens, and defund sanctuary cities.

Cities across Colorado are feeling the pressure while some, like Denver, are cutting city services to house illegal aliens. This is irresponsible and reckless.

Additionally, we need to put an end to giving in-state tuition, driver’s licenses, and any other government benefit to illegal aliens. Colorado can do its part in stopping illegal immigration by simply not rewarding illegal behavior.

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

We can fix Biden’s broken economy by cutting out-of-control spending and taxation while eliminating burdensome regulation so we can unleash free enterprise. People have less money and less purchasing power when the government prints money out of thin air and when the government interferes in free-market economic activities.

With the Federal Reserve printing more and more money while the government spends our tax dollars like drunken sailors, it’s inevitable that we are experiencing record inflation and headed toward another recession.

As your next Trump-endorsed congressman, I’ll fight for economic security and American energy independence while never voting to raise the debt ceiling, taxes or fees, or any bill that puts the government ahead of business and job growth.

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

Space Command should stay here in Colorado Springs, and any move out of our community would severely hamper our combat readiness and national security. Given that President Trump has endorsed my candidacy, I will be in the best position to make the case to the Trump administration to keep Space Command here. You can count on me to fight those in and outside of my party, working jointly with the Colorado congressional delegation, to ensure that Space Command is never moved.

Do you support the creation of a Space National Guard?

While threats against our nation are at their highest point in decades, we must do everything in our power to increase combat readiness, streamline command structure and internal processes, bolster cybersecurity, and operate as efficiently as possible on the ground, in the air and sea, and in space. But this must be done in a manner that respects Colorado’s authority over our National Guard troops and avoids needless government bureaucracy and overhead costs.

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

We need to ensure that when our veterans come back home that they are provided quality health care while having the financial, emotional and communal support they deserve. This includes cutting down on wait times to receive physical and mental health care treatment and expanding care through private health care providers. Additionally, we will focus on helping with transitioning them back into civilian life with plenty of job opportunities that align with the experience and skillset they developed in the military. We should also provide educational and workplace training so veterans can be empowered to succeed. As your next congressman, you can count on our office having dedicated staff toward military and veterans affairs.