By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice
HUDSON — Gabe Evans isn’t resting on a 55-point Republican Party primary election victory.
The 8th District Republican nominee for U.S. representative told the Women of Weld County here Thursday he can defeat Yadira Caraveo on the issues, each and every one of them.
“Open borders, American oil and gas production, agriculture, really every pressing issue right now, she has been on the wrong side of it,” Evans said. “It is time to retire her.”
His Christmas in June began when 8th District Republicans handed him a 55.1% margin of victory over Janak Joshi on Tuesday. On Thursday, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced it would invest $2.327 million in Colorado’s 8th District race, marking its third-highest investment nationwide.
“Republicans have a two-seat majority,” Evans said. “This seat is needed to grow that majority.”
Colorado’s 8th District was created to be competitive for both parties. Geographically, the district takes in Greeley and some of Weld County in the north and continues to beyond Thornton in the south. The 8th District is among the highest priorities for the NRCC, with the Cook Political Report rating it as a toss-up.
Caraveo narrowly became the first person to serve in the seat in 2022, when she defeated Barbara Kirkmeyer. Evans indicates Caraveo’s record during a single term in Congress is enough to oust her from the seat. He has another $5.1 million in funding which has been invested to do just that. Caraveo may also have about $7 million that could be committed to support her re-election, Evans said.
“We can win it,” Evans said, asking the Women of Weld for support.
He led Caraveo in two polls conducted in April. The Tarrance Group poll, funded by the Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC, projected Evans as plus-1 in the race, while the OnMessage poll, funded by the NRCC, had Evans with a 5% lead.