Manny Rutinel Wins Primary in Competitive Colorado District

Manny Rutinel, a progressive state representative, secured a victory in the primary election in Colorado’s most competitive House district. He will face off against Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican, in the upcoming fall election.

Rutinel, a former animal rights activist and lawyer with a strong social media presence, boasts significant fundraising capabilities. His multicultural background appeals to voters in a suburban area north of Denver, which is nearly 40 percent Latino.

On Tuesday night, Rutinel led by more than 25 percentage points against Shannon Bird, a moderate Democrat who claimed she had wider appeal for the general election. Following her defeat, Bird congratulated Rutinel and urged voters to unite against Evans in her statement.

The district, known for its ranching and agricultural roots, has previously shown narrow support for Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. It is notable for having a substantial Latino population. Gabe Evans, the current Republican incumbent, is of Mexican American heritage.

Even before officially securing the Democratic nomination, Rutinel was a regular target for Republican criticism. The House GOP campaign efforts highlighted his history of critiquing meat and dairy consumption, aiming to portray him as unsuitable for the agricultural district.

Rutinel has since clarified some of his past positions, noting to The Colorado Sun that his criticisms are directed at unethical practices within the industry, specifically those causing animal cruelty and unsustainable environmental impacts.

Rutinel relocated to Colorado in 2020 to assist Senator John Hickenlooper’s first campaign for the Senate.

The election will also gauge district sentiment on artificial intelligence regulation. Rutinel, who contributed to Colorado’s AI regulation law, benefitted from substantial financial backing from groups linked to tech leaders concerned about AI’s impacts. These groups also played a role in opposing Bird, who stood against aggressive AI regulation.

A pro-AI regulation super PAC supported Rutinel, running advertisements featuring Pope Leo XIV declaring the need to ‘disarm’ AI. However, the Colorado Catholic Church clarified it does not endorse any political candidates.

Evans has expressed worry about excessive AI regulation impacts.