Chris Larsen's Super PAC Spends $1M to Propel Colorado Progressive into Congress Race

Colorado state Representative Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary for the state's 8th congressional district on July 2, 2026, securing the nomination with 60.9% of the vote against former state Representative Shannon Bird, a more moderate candidate.

The victory came after Rutinel's campaign received $1 million in backing from the 'You Can Push Back' Super PAC, an organization founded by Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple. The financial support played a decisive role in the outcome of one of the most closely watched primary contests in the country.

Rutinel, who represents Commerce City, will now face incumbent Republican Representative Gabe Evans in the November general election. Colorado's 8th congressional district is considered one of the most competitive House seats in the United States.

Latino voter groups provided significant support to Rutinel throughout the primary. The demographic accounts for approximately 40% of the district's population and was widely credited as a key factor in his margin of victory.

Republican strategists expressed confidence following Rutinel's win, arguing that his progressive profile makes him a more favorable opponent than Bird in a swing district. GOP operatives have already begun circulating images of Rutinel alongside figures such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, seeking to define him as aligned with far-left politics ahead of November.

Incumbent Evans has assembled a campaign war chest of $3.4 million to defend his seat. Democrats' top House super PAC has responded by reserving millions of dollars in advertising spending ahead of the general election.

Since securing the primary, Rutinel has begun moderating several of his prior policy stances. He has moved away from his previous support for Medicare for All and stepped back from his opposition to fracking, signaling a strategic shift toward the political center in preparation for the November contest.

Whether the repositioning will be sufficient to persuade swing voters in the district remains an open question as both parties prepare for what is expected to be a high-spending and closely contested race.