8th Congressional District

The two Democrats running in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District discussed housing, immigration, and healthcare.

That leaves two Democrats, former state Rep. Shannon Bird of Westminster and state Rep. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City, vying for a chance to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans.

But first, one of them will have to win a hard-fought primary.

The Democrat’s departure from the contest means it’s effectively a three-way race for a chance to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans next year in one of the nation’s most competitive congressional districts.

The Westminster Democrat will step down Jan. 5. A Democratic vacancy committee will be convened to select her replacement.

The Democratic state representative’s advocacy in the animal agriculture arena dates back to at least his time as an undergraduate student. He has pushed for a transition to plant-based food.

Caraveo had hoped to win back the seat she lost to Gabe Evans last year.

Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo conceded Sunday to Republican State Rep. Gabe Evans, five days after the polls closed in one of the most closely-watched races in the country.

Incumbent Democratic US Rep. Yadira Caraveo and Republican challenger State Rep. Gabe Evans spent the last days of their campaigns trying to win over the last undecided voters. The high-stakes, neck-and-neck race for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District could decide the balance of power in Washington.

The U.S. House race in Colorado's 8th Congressional District is one of the closest in the nation and a testing ground for Republicans' and Democrats' strategies to reach Latino voters. The district is 40% Latino and both candidates, Republican Gabe Evans and Democratic incumbent Rep. Yadira Caraveo, are descendants of Mexican immigrants.