COLORADO, USA — Republican Gabe Evans and Democratic incumbent Yadira Caraveo are competing in what is expected to be a close race for Colorado's 8th Congressional District. The U.S. House seat was narrowly won by Caraveo in 2022.
Evans, a state representative from Fort Lupton, won the Republican primary for the 8th district against the state Republican party's endorsed candidate back in June.
Evans is an Army veteran and former Arvada police officer. He was formally endorsed by former President Donald Trump on June 3.
Caraveo, a pediatrician and former state lawmaker, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She beat Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer for the seat in 2022. Caraveo came under fire from some Colorado Democrats in July for voting with Republicans on a measure “strongly condemning” the Biden administration for failing to secure the border. This came three years after she called on the Biden administration to defund ICE, and four days after she endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
Chris Baum is also on the ballot under the Approval Voting Party, a single-issue party dedicated to implementing a system in the U.S. where voters can select one or more candidates on their ballot. It was recognized as a minor party in Colorado in 2019.
The 8th district includes large population hubs like Thornton, Commerce City and Greeley, marking it as a competitive district that encompasses both suburban and rural voters north and east of Denver.
Its active voter makeup is 25% registered Democrat, 22% Republican, and 49% unaffiliated, according to May numbers from the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.
Caraveo and Evans participated in the only live debate in this race on 9NEWS on Oct. 8.
Watch the full debate here:
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