Manny Rutinel raised $2.5 million for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District Democratic primary but hasn’t filed the petition to guarantee ballot access. Shannon Bird and Evan Munsing each collected 1,500 valid signatures and secured their spots. Rutinel now depends on March caucus delegates with no fallback option.
Bird submitted 2,461 signatures February 2. The Secretary of State verified 1,915 valid signatures February 11. Munsing qualified first on February 7 with 1,880 valid signatures.
Bird resigned her Westminster House seat January 5 after serving as Joint Budget Committee Vice Chair. She raised $1.2 million with $763,000 cash on hand through December. Her legislative tenure included work on the state budget and education funding.
Three prominent Democrats withdrew after entering the race. Former Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo dropped out September 12 citing mental health stigma. Teachers union president Amie Baca-Oehlert exited October 31 after raising $135,000. State Treasurer Dave Young ended his campaign December 19 due to family health issues.
Republican Gabe Evans holds the seat after defeating Caraveo by 2,596 votes. He won 162,022 votes to her 159,426 in 2024. Cook Political Report rates the district as a toss-up for the November 3 general election.
Two candidates with moderate resources locked in ballot positions while the campaign flush with cash bet everything on an assembly process that could eliminate him before June’s primary.
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