5 takeaways from 8th District candidates forum in Greeley
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8th District candidates Manny Rutinel and Gabe Evans in Greeley. Photos: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
With Election Day less than two weeks away, Republican Gabe Evans and Democrat Manny Rutinel are giving voters in Colorado's 8th Congressional District a clearer picture of where they stand.
Zoom in: The two candidates discussed foreign policy, term limits and artificial intelligence during separate interviews Tuesday night at the University of Northern Colorado.
- The format produced more substantive answers than their heated debate earlier this month.
Why it matters: Voters in Colorado's key swing district have little time left to weigh the candidates' positions before the Nov. 3 election.
Here are five takeaways from the event hosted by the Colorado Sun and the Colorado Health Foundation.
1. Both back military aid to Ukraine and Israel.
- Evans, a combat veteran, said supporting allies like Ukraine "projects strength abroad." He wants U.S. aid to Israel spent on American-made defense equipment.
- Rutinel emphasized defending allies while upholding international human rights laws. He supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
2. Both support term limits — but neither specified a retirement age.
- Evans supports the U.S. Term Limits Pledge and suggested mandatory retirement ages for Supreme Court justices.
- Rutinel said lawmakers would need to negotiate details.
3. Both want tighter AI rules.
- Evans touted his Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to protect utility customers from higher costs tied to energy-hungry data centers.
- He also backs the Kids Online Safety Act to protect kids online.
- Rutinel called AI a "defining issue of our time" and pushed for greater transparency and whistleblower protections for researchers who flag imminent risks.
4. The Iran war puts their differences on display.
- Evans defended the war, citing Iran's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and arguing it must not acquire nuclear weapons. He suggested a resolution could start after the election.
- Rutinel called it another "forever war" and blamed Evans and President Trump for "putting American lives at risk." He supports the War Powers Resolution, which limits the president's authority to engage in hostilities.
5. Their 2028 presidential picks might surprise you.
- Evans chose Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Rutinel picked former Colorado U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.
What's next: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is scheduled to campaign with Evans in Colorado on Thursday.