COLORADO — Marine veteran and congressional candidate Evan Munsing suspended his Democratic primary campaign in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District on Wednesday, narrowing the field to two candidates vying to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans this November.
Munsing, 38, withdrew the day before a scheduled debate in Greeley with his two remaining primary opponents: former state Rep. Shannon Bird of Westminster and state Rep. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City. He will not appear at that debate, though his name will remain on the June 30 primary ballot.
In a public statement, Munsing attributed his exit in part to fundraising dynamics, saying that “Washington insiders prefer to bankroll career politicians rather than see outsiders win critical races.” He had entered the race arguing that his military background and business experience made him a competitive choice for a district hungry for a reform-minded candidate.
The 8th District race is considered one of Colorado’s most competitive congressional contests. Bird and Rutinel will now face each other in the June 30 primary before the winner takes on Evans in the general election. The district, which spans parts of the Denver suburbs and northern Colorado, has been a closely watched battleground seat.
The withdrawal comes as congressional primaries are heating up across the country. Early in-person voting is already underway in New Jersey’s congressional primaries, reflecting a broader national calendar of competitive House races this cycle.