Both political parties watched GOP debates closely

As GOP candidates took to the stage Thursday night, people in El Paso County took to their television sets and the Internet to watch the first debate of the 2016 presidential campaign.

It was a debate both sides watched.

“Democrat and liberal principles. I just don’t agree with them,” said 17-year-old Dylan Sparks, who organized a Republican watch party at his own home, with his parents blessing. “I know most of them, if not all of them, in the neighborhood or the party itself.”

He’s watched the campaign closely, preparing for the first election he can vote in and he believes the massive amount of candidates is a good thing.

“We have more variety, we get rid of the stereotypes about Republicans, about the old white guys. We have a woman running for president, we have an African-American running for president,” Sparks said.

But if you visited another watch party in Colorado Springs, you’d find a different viewpoint.

“There’s too many Republicans running for presidency, it’s gotten out of control and I think it’s made things more confusing,” said Democrat supporter Liz Rosenbaum.

She’s already chosen a candidate – Hillary Clinton. But Sparks said he needed more time.

“I don’t have a frontrunner, it’s way too early, we have a long time,” he said.

The 17 Republican candidates debated in two separate settings Thursday night.

The Democrats’ side has five candidates, but the first debate isn’t until October.