Candidate’s withdrawal narrows field

Scott James, a Weld County commissioner, drops out; state Rep. Gabe Evans has led fundraising

Weld County Commissioner Scott James has suspended his campaign in the Republican primary for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, narrowing the field to take on U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo.

In a statement posted Tuesday night to X, formerly known as Twitter, James wrote that, after having conversations with supporters in recent days, he “decided I could best be of service and have the highest degree of impact by staying at home in Johnstown, continuing to serve and lift my voice for the people I love in the county and state that I love.”

James was one of several Republicans jockeying to run against Caraveo, a Democrat elected to represent the newly formed district in 2022. The contest is considered one of the tightest in the country heading into November, and it could help determine which party controls the House. Cook Political Report considers it a toss-up.

James’ departure leaves state Rep. Gabe Evans, a freshman lawmaker from Fort Lupton, and Joe Andujo, a health insurance consultant, as the strongest Republicans still in the contest.

Evans, who has raised the most of the Republican field, had more than $186,000 on hand as of the end of 2023, according to federal election filings. Andujo had more than $203,000 on hand, but the bulk of his fundraising has come from $216,000 in candidate loans.

James, who had raised just over $150,000, suspended his campaign with less than $24,000 left.

At a debate last month, Evans won a straw poll of attendees, with James placing second and Andujo third. Another Republican, former state Rep. Janak Joshi, has also filed to run but has not yet reported any fundraising.

Caraveo’s war chest dwarfs those of her potential rivals. According to federal campaign finance filings, she started the year with nearly $1.4 million on hand.