Weld County Commissioner Scott James on Tuesday abruptly exited the Republican primary in Colorado’s highly competitive 8th Congressional District, making it more likely that state Rep. Gabe Evans will be the GOP nominee in the toss-up district come November.
“I decided I could best be of service and have the highest degree of impact by staying at home in Johnstown, continuing to serve and lift my voice for the people I love in the county and state that I love,” James wrote in a Facebook post announcing his decision.
Whoever wins the June 25 primary in the 8th District, which stretches from Denver’s northeast suburbs along U.S. 85 into Greeley, will face Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo of Thornton in November. Republicans want to flip the seat to help maintain power in the U.S. House.
Caraveo won by just 1,600 votes in 2022.
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James’ exit comes as Republicans are preparing to caucus in the coming weeks to select primary candidates. Also running in the Republican primary are insurance salesman Joe Andujo, a first-time candidate, and former state Rep. Janak Joshi.
But support is coalescing around Evans for the nomination.
Evans, who lives in Fort Lupton, is endorsed by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana. He is also backed by Americans for Prosperity Action, the campaign arm of the deep-pocketed national conservative political nonprofit Americans for Prosperity.