Rutinel Wins Primary, Faces Evans in Colorado’s Competitive House Race

Manny Rutinel, a progressive state representative, has triumphed in the primary election within Colorado’s most contested House district. His victory was confirmed by The Associated Press, defeating a moderate Democrat. Rutinel will now compete against Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican considered vulnerable, in the upcoming fall election. This race is pivotal in determining control of the House.

Rutinel, a Dominican American and former animal rights activist, gained attention as a lawyer with substantial social media influence and a talent for fund-raising. His multicultural background resonated with voters in a suburban region north of Denver, where nearly 40 percent of the population is Latino. Rutinel led his primary opponent, Shannon Bird, by over 25 percentage points. Bird, a moderate who had argued for her broader appeal for the general election, congratulated Rutinel and called for unity against Evans.

This district is one of Colorado’s agricultural centers and narrowly supported Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the 2020 election and President Trump in 2024. It is among the few battleground districts with a significant Latino population. The incumbent, Gabe Evans, is also Mexican American.

Rutinel, even before securing the Democratic nomination, faced Republican criticism. This likely foreshadows a challenging and expensive general election campaign. The Republican campaign arm has spotlighted Rutinel’s past criticisms of meat and dairy consumption, portraying him as unsuitable for representing the district.

The candidate responded by clarifying his position, emphasizing opposition to extreme animal cruelty and unsustainable food practices. Rutinel relocated to Colorado in 2020 to join Senator John Hickenlooper’s Senate campaign.

The upcoming race will also examine the district’s stance on artificial intelligence (AI) and the tech industry’s influence on voters. Rutinel contributed to crafting Colorado’s AI regulations and received support from tech-linked groups concerned about unchecked AI. These groups campaigned against Ms. Bird, who opposed aggressive AI regulation.

Rutinel received advertisement support from a super PAC favoring AI regulation, featuring an endorsement from Pope Leo XIV. The Colorado Catholic Church, however, clarified its non-endorsement stance. Meanwhile, Evans has expressed concerns about the potential overregulation of AI.