June 30, 2026
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — Manny Rutinel is the official Democratic nominee for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, winning a competitive primary for a seat considered as one of the top pickup opportunities for Democrats in the midterms. In response, 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton released the following statement:
“314 Action Fund congratulates Manny Rutinel on his primary win in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District. This is a major victory for pro-science candidates—and shows STEM leaders have what it takes to win tough races.
“Since taking office in the Colorado House of Representatives, Manny has delivered for families across the state. Coloradans have watched him invest and expand healthcare, help finance affordable housing, and keep Colorado’s waterways and airways clean. Democrats are looking for fighters to represent them in Washington and that’s who Manny is—they know he’ll take that same fight to Congress.”
In 2024, the race for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District was decided by fewer than 2,500 votes. Republicans flipped it and held their House majority because of it—now, the path to a Democratic majority depends on winning this seat. Following a highly competitive primary, Rutinel enters the general election with momentum on his side. He raised $4.1 million—out-raising his opponent by nearly 2-to-1.
Naughton continued, “Manny is the best candidate to take on Representative Gabe Evans this November. Evans sold out the district by gutting Medicaid, ripping healthcare coverage from millions, and making life harder and more expensive for the district. Colorado’s 8th Congressional District is one of the top Red to Blue flip opportunities in the nation and the only way we’re going to win is by electing bold, pro-science leaders. 314 Action proudly endorsed Manny early in the cycle and we look forward to supporting his campaign through November.
Manny Rutinel has spent his career advocating to better the lives of Coloradans. With his degree in Microbiology and Economics, he became an Economist for the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he also served as a First Responder in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. After graduating law school, Manny became an environmental attorney, fighting to protect Colorado’s air, land, and water, before being elected to the State House.
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314 Action is the only national organization working to recruit, train and elect Democratic scientists across all levels of government—from the Senate down to local school boards. The organization is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people supporting scientists and health care professionals who will use science and facts to address the most urgent issues facing our generation.