Manny Rutinel wins Democratic primary for Colorado House seat
State Rep. Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, defeating former Rep. Shannon Bird with 60.6% of the vote. This sets up a general election matchup against Republican Rep. Gabe Evans in a competitive district in northern Denver suburbs.Rutinel emphasized his Hispanic heritage and progressive credentials, contrasting with Bird’s centrist platform and focus on electability. The primary was contentious, with Rutinel gaining support from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Progressive caucus, while Bird was backed by centrist groups. Campaign spending shifts and the waning momentum of Bird’s campaign influenced the race,with some democrats concerned D.C. interventions should have favored Bird. Despite the heightened competition,Democrats remain optimistic about winning the seat with Rutinel,though his nomination may increase campaign costs. The district was newly created in 2022 and is considered one of the most competitive in the country.
State Rep. Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, setting up a matchup with Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) in the northern Denver suburbs-based seat.
Rutinel led former state Rep. Shannon Bird 60.6%-34.6% with 82% of the vote tabulated when the Associated Press called the race.
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The primary was a competitive and, at times, bitter affair. Rutinel, who has tacked more progressive in his career, made the case that someone with Hispanic heritage is a better fit for the Latino-plurality seat. The district has never been represented by a non-Latino member, as Evans and former Rep. Yadira Caraveo are Mexican American.
Bird, who is white, ran on a platform of electability, arguing that her centrist bona fides are ideal for the swing seat. Bird was backed by centrist groups like the Bench and the Blue Dog Coalition, while Rutinel was endorsed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
But Bird’s campaign lost steam in the closing weeks. Rutinel was boosted by an infusion of tech and crypto spending, while Bird’s television spending decreased in recent weeks.
Some were upset Washington, D.C., Democrats didn’t intervene to save Bird, seen by centrists as the more electable candidate.
“If we wake up Wednesday and Manny Rutinel is our nominee, the DCCC is going to have a lot of egg on their face and for not the first time this cycle,” one Democratic strategist familiar with the race, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Washington Examiner.
ETHNICITY AND ELECTABILITY AT CENTER OF NASTY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IN COLORADO
Sources familiar with the race told the Washington Examiner Rutinel’s nomination likely means Democrats will have to spend more than they would have with Bird, but Democrats still think they have a viable path forward with Rutinel.
The race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country. Evans, a freshman, was elected in 2024 by fewer than 3,000 votes in what was just the second election held on the lines. The district was created for the 2022 elections after the bicentennial census.
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