Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans and Democratic challenger Manny Rutinel clashed over health care, immigration and public safety during a debate Wednesday in Berthoud, as they compete for Colorado’s closely watched 8th Congressional District seat. The debate, hosted by The Surveyor, was the candidates’ only scheduled head-to-head event before a Colorado Sun forum in Greeley on Oct. 22. The race is among Colorado’s most competitive congressional contests and could affect the balance of power in Congress. Asked how Congress could lower everyday costs for families, both candidates spent much of their allotted time criticizing past policies rather than detailing specific proposals, according to the debate account. Evans defended his support for President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” arguing it addressed “fraud, waste and abuse” in Medicaid. He also cited tax cuts on overtime pay, a bipartisan immigration proposal and legislation aimed at addressing energy costs for data centers. Rutinel called for reversing Medicaid cuts enacted under Trump’s law. He advocated a path to citizenship for longtime undocumented immigrants who work and pay taxes, and urged rolling back Trump’s tariffs. He also called for banning congressional stock trading, barring corporate donations to politicians, imposing term limits for members of Congress and ending the war with Iran. The candidates’ personal attacks punctuated the policy disagreements. Evans described Rutinel as a radical and cast the race as “common sense versus crazy.” Rutinel accused Evans of dishonesty, telling him, “I’m always impressed by your ability to lie.” Both men also drew on stories of personal hardship and family backgrounds as they sought to connect with voters in the suburban Denver district. Their next scheduled forum is less than two weeks before Election Day.