Colorado Democratic primary pits Hispanic progressive against white moderate

Voters in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District will select their Democratic nominee on Tuesday in a primary between State Rep. Manny Rutinel and former state Rep. Shannon Bird. The race has focused on which candidate is better positioned to compete in the battleground district that has a Latino plurality. Rutinel, a Hispanic progressive, faces Bird, a white moderate.

Background on the candidates and outside involvement Rutinel has questioned Bird’s lack of Latino heritage during a recent debate. Bird has highlighted her outreach to the Latino community and her record as the most effective lawmaker in the state Legislature.

A Latino advocacy group backing Rutinel stated that the contest concerns policy alignment rather than symbolic representation. The group’s president said Latino voters in the district prioritize affordability, wages, and healthcare. Outside spending has increased in the final weeks.

Rutinel has received more than $5 million, including nearly $1 million from a political action committee funded by a California cryptocurrency executive. Bird has received support from Women Vote, the independent expenditure arm of EMILY’s List.

Spending patterns and party role Rutinel’s television advertising has remained steady while Bird’s spending has declined over the past three weeks, according to nonpartisan tracking firm AdImpact. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has stayed out of the race.

Multiple sources familiar with the contest told the Washington Examiner that Rutinel is the likely favorite. A Democratic strategist speaking on condition of anonymity said a Rutinel nomination would require greater investment to defeat the Republican incumbent in November.