Evan Munsing, a 37-year-old Marine combat veteran and finance professional, has officially entered the crowded Democratic primary race to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans in Colorado’s competitive 8th Congressional District for the upcoming election.
Munsing, who has never held public office, believes his outsider status will be an asset in the primary as Democrats seek to reclaim a majority in the U.S. House.
In an interview ahead of his campaign announcement, Munsing expressed his desire for new leadership, stating, “If the people who are in office could fix this, they already would have. We need new leaders.”
He emphasized the significance of his decision to run for Congress, characterizing the political situation in Washington, D.C. as a critical battleground in need of fresh perspectives.
Aiming for Congress reform, Munsing has laid out key priorities for his campaign: banning stock trading by members of Congress, implementing term limits of 18 years for House representatives and 24 years for senators, and establishing an age limit of 72 for congressional members.
His economic agenda includes reversing policies introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration and striving to enhance Congressional oversight on presidential authority.
Referencing his military background, Munsing cited the influence of his experiences in Afghanistan on his political views.
“I came back deeply frustrated by that experience, because what I saw, and what a lot of other men and women who went to Iraq and Afghanistan saw, was that we did not fight the war that we were resourced to win,” he lamented.
This frustration fuels his commitment to address the profound decision-making challenges faced by leaders in Washington, D.C.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Munsing relocated to Colorado in 2019 and now serves as the director of portfolio operations at Corbel Capital Partners after working with firms like Vista Equity Partners and McKinsey & Co.
He is also engaged with Operation Equine, a nonprofit that provides mental health resources to veterans and first responders, showing his commitment to veteran affairs.
Earlier this year, Munsing and his fiancée moved to Thornton, which is situated within the 8th Congressional District.
The 8th District is known for being a toss-up, encompasses Denver’s northern suburbs and stretches to Greeley. The outcome of the race in 2026 could play a vital role in determining which party controls the U.S. House.
Gabe Evans, the current congressman, narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Yadira Caraveo in the last election by approximately 2,500 votes, marking less than a percentage point of difference.
Caraveo, a Thornton resident, is also vying to reclaim her seat despite some concerns from party leaders regarding her mental health and allegations related to her treatment of staff.
In addition to Munsing, other notable candidates in the Democratic primary include state Reps. Manny Rutinel from Commerce City and Shannon Bird from Westminster, as well as Colorado Treasurer Dave Young.
Former Colorado Education Association leader Amie Baca-Oehlert is also in the mix, while Denis Abrate is another candidate who has yet to establish a noticeable campaign presence or fundraising efforts.
As the race unfolds, it’s important to note that Evans has a considerable advantage when it comes to campaign financing.
The Republican congressman reported raising about $840,000 from April 1 to June 30 and began July with roughly $1.2 million in campaign funds.
In comparison, Rutinel had about $810,000, Bird $373,000, Caraveo $92,000, Young $72,000, and Baca-Oehlert $29,000 in their campaign war chests.
The Democratic primary election for the 8th District is scheduled for June 2026. However, not all candidates may secure a spot on the primary ballot, as candidates must gather signatures or obtain party support through the caucus and assembly process to achieve ballot access.
image source from：coloradosun
