DENVER (AP) 鈥� Republican Gabe Evans defeated Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo on Tuesday in one of the nation鈥檚 , flipping the Colorado House seat north of Denver.
The toss-up race for Colorado鈥檚 8th Congressional District, which was created after in 2020, was a crucial part to Republican's goal of retaining control of the House. It also tested Republicans鈥� and Democrats鈥� appeal to Latinos, who make up nearly 40% of the district鈥檚 population.
Evans, a state representative, and Caraveo, a pediatrician, are both descendants of Mexican immigrants, a fact they both leaned into on the campaign trail. The candidates tailored their message to undecided and Latino voters, at times separating themselves from their own party鈥檚 leadership.
Evans, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, disagreed with some of the former president's proposals, particularly Trump's plan to use the National Guard for of everyone who is in the country illegally.
Evans, a former member of the National Guard, scoffed at the proposal but still made border security, and stopping the criminals he associates with unchecked immigration, a centerpiece of his campaign. Evans combined his hardline approach with plans to to make it easier for people migrate legally.
During Caraveo鈥檚 time in Congress and on the campaign trail, she broke from her party in demanding greater border security and drawing a harder line on crime. Caraveo tried connecting Evans with Trump鈥檚 more extreme proposals and more aggressive rhetoric toward migrants.
The Associated Press
