Manny Rutinel, a progressive state representative, has secured a victory in the primary election for Colorado’s most competitive House district. According to The Associated Press, Rutinel defeated a moderate Democrat, setting the stage for a fall contest against Representative Gabe Evans, a vulnerable Republican. This race could play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in the House.
Rutinel, a Dominican American and former animal rights activist, possesses a robust social media presence and fundraising skills. His multicultural background resonated with voters in a suburban area north of Denver, where nearly 40 percent of the population is Latino. He led his primary opponent, Shannon Bird, by more than 25 percentage points. Bird, a white moderate, congratulated Rutinel and urged voters to unite against Evans.
The district, characterized by ranching and agriculture, voted narrowly for Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2020 and for Donald Trump in 2024. It is one of the few battleground districts with a significant Latino population. Evans, the Republican incumbent, is Mexican American.
Even before securing the Democratic nomination, Rutinel became a target of Republican attacks. These attacks may foretell a costly and intense general election campaign. The House GOP’s campaign arm highlighted Rutinel’s history of criticizing the meat and dairy industries to paint him as unsuitable for the agricultural district. Rutinel countered by explaining that he opposes practices causing extreme animal cruelty and environmental harm in unsustainable food systems.
Rutinel moved to Colorado in 2020 to support Senator John Hickenlooper’s Senate campaign and has since influenced legislation on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. His campaign received significant financial backing from groups connected to tech leaders concerned about unchecked AI. These groups also opposed Shannon Bird, who criticized aggressive AI regulation.
A supportive super PAC broadcast ads featuring Pope Leo XIV, stating, “artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed.” The Colorado Catholic Church clarified it does not endorse political candidates. Meanwhile, Evans voiced his concerns about the potential overregulation of AI.
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