BRIGHTON — The race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo and Republican state Rep. Gabe Evans in Colorado’s highly competitive 8th Congressional District was too close to call Tuesday night, with the candidates separated by about 4,000 votes at 11 p.m.
Caraveo was leading Evans by less than 2 percentage points. The Associated Press estimated that about 67% of votes had been counted.
“We absolutely have a path,” Evans told his supporters at a watch party in Brighton on Tuesday. “We’re feeling very, very optimistic.”
Evans said many of the remaining votes to be tallied were in Weld County, a conservative stronghold.
The slim margin in a race that could determine which party controls the U.S. House next year wasn’t unexpected. The 8th District, which spans Denver’s northeastern suburbs along U.S. 85 into Greeley, is Colorado’s most competitive congressional district. Polling showed the race was razor-close heading into Election Day.
Caraveo beat her Republican opponent in 2022 by about 1,600 votes in a contest that also wasn’t called on election night.
Caraveo, the first Latina from Colorado elected to Congress, is seeking her second term in Washington, D.C.
The race in the 8th District was focused heavily on immigration. About 40% of the district’s population is Latino. Both candidates promised to get tough on illegal border crossings but differed on how to enforce the nation’s immigration laws.
U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, speaks at a campaign event on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Commerce City, Colorado. (Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun)
Abortion also played a central role in the contest, with Caraveo attacking Evans for his unclear and seemingly contradictory positions on the issue. Evans and Republicans, meanwhile, attacked Caraveo over her vote as a state lawmaker to defelonize fentanyl, running an onslaught of ads criticizing that decision.
Nearly $29 million was spent by super PACs on the race, most to benefit Caraveo. That eclipses the $16.6 million spent by super PACs in the district in 2022.
America PAC, the group funded by billionaire Elon Musk, was one of the major spenders, entering the contest to help Evans. Another big spender was the Mainstream Colorado Fund, which received most of its funding from political nonprofits that don’t disclose their donors.
The top super PAC spender in the race was the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC tied to House Speaker Mike Johnson. The group spent nearly $6.7 million on the contest to help Evans. The House Majority PAC, a Democratic group, spent $6 million to help Caraveo.
The race drew a list of big-name politicos into the district to campaign on behalf of Evans and Caraveo.
“Colorado eight: You are going to decide who has the majority in the Congress going forward,” Johnson said during a stop in Thornton last month to help Evans. “When you talk about the most important races in America, this is, indeed, a top five race.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat who is among the top members of the U.S. House, called the 8th District the “center of the universe” heading into Election Day.
“I’m here because this, I believe, is the most critical race in the United States of America. And I don’t say that lightly,” Neguse said. “If we do not send this incredible woman back to represent our community in the United States Congress, then we won’t win a majority in the House.”
Caraveo did not hold a public watch party on Tuesday. She was expected to make an appearance at the Adams County Democratic Party’s event at union hall just north of Denver, but didn’t show up to address her supporters.
A voter comes to cast a ballot at the Mapleton Public Schools Valley View Campus polling place in the 8th Congressional District as snow begins to fall on Nov. 5, 2024. (Steve Peterson, Special to the Colorado Sun)
“It’s early and this race is too close to call. Our team is closely monitoring votes as they come in and are cautiously optimistic about where we are,” said Kevin Porter, a spokesman for Caraveo’s campaign.
State Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, said concerns about abortion rights should help Caraveo in the district.
“A common sentiment among voters is strong support for women’s reproductive rights, which is highlighted as a significant theme in the election,” Bird said. “People are eager for the election season to end and are tired of commercials.”
Attorney General Phil Weiser, another Democrat, spoke at the Adams County Democratic Party event just after polls closed, noting the number of TV advertisements airing in the 8th District, many of which attacked Caraveo.
“She’s endured more negative ads, more attacks than anyone should bear, but we’ve got her back,” Weiser said. “She is someone who is motivated purely to service.”
Local elections officials will continue counting ballots throughout the week. Ballot tabulation could technically continue into mid December if any recounts are ordered. The new Congress will be seated in early January.
Type of Story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Publish date : 2024-11-05 17:33:00
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