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�ʹڲ�����ַ Treasurer Dave Young on Wednesday became the latest candidate to jump into the increasingly crowded Democratic primary in �ʹڲ�����ַ’s highly competitive 8th Congressional District. 

Young said he was compelled to join the race, which could determine which party controls the U.S. House, after incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans voted to pass the GOP spending bill and . 

“I don’t think he knows what damage he is going to cause by that budget if it goes all the way through Congress,” Young said in an interview with �ʹڲ�����ַ ahead of his campaign announcement.  “But I know because my sister is very disabled and her life depends on the support that Medicaid provides.”

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Young was elected treasurer in 2018 and reelected in 2022. His term ends in early 2027 and he is term-limited. 

Before serving as treasurer, Young was a state representative and sat on the legislature’s powerful Joint Budget Committee. Prior to his political career, Young, who lives in Greeley, was a middle school teacher and leader of his local teachers union.

“I’m really focused on kitchen-table economics for people, and a lot of the work that I’ve done, both in the state treasury and also my time as a state representative, has really been focused on those kinds of things,” he said. “I have a track record that shows that I can actually deliver. I think that’s what people want government to focus on right now.”

Young is the fourth Democrat to enter the race to unseat Evans in the 8th District, which spans Denver’s northern suburbs along U.S. 85 into Greeley. 

Evans ousted the Democratic incumbent, Yadira Caraveo, in November by about 2,500 votes, or less than a percentage point.

Caraveo, who lives in Thornton, is running to reclaim her seat despite the concerns of Democratic leaders about her mental health and allegations that she mistreated her congressional and campaign staff. Also running in the district’s Democratic primary is state Rep. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City, who has raised more than $1 million since he jumped into the race at the end of January.

State Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat, jumped into the Democratic primary last month.

Democrats Amie Baca-Oehlert, the former president of the �ʹڲ�����ַ Education Association, and Evan Munsing, a Marine veteran who now works in private equity, are also expected to launch bids in the 8th District. 

Baca-Oehlert’s campaign launch appears imminent. She already up and running Tuesday where supporters could send donations.

Young said he’s not worried about how many primary challengers he will have.

“It doesn’t really bother me if it’s a crowded primary. I think voters deserve lots of options,” he said. “I can stack up my record against anyone. I don’t just talk about fighting for working families. I’ve actually done it.”

Young also pointed to his record of winning in a contested state House district and statewide.

“I’ve run and won five really tough races,” he said. “I have a track record of electability. I know how to work and win hard races.”

With such a crowded Democratic primary field, local and national party leaders aren’t throwing their support behind any of Evans’ challengers for now.