Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer concedes race for 8th Congressional District, handing win to Democrat Yadira Caraveo
Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer conceded her race for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, handing a win to Democratic state Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Colorado's newest U.S. congressional district.
Colorado's 8th Congressional District was called one of the most competitive districts in the country. The newly created district runs along Interstate 25 north and east of the Denver metro area, encompassing parts of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties.
"Just a few minutes ago I call (sic) Representative Caraveo to congratulate her on her win in CD8. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, I am proud of our team and our campaign. And 'thank' all of the team, the countless volunteers, the folks who contributed and my family," Kirkmeyer tweeted just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Caraveo's win makes her Colorado's first Latina congresswoman.
Just before 7 p.m., Caraveo tweeted her appreciation toward her community.
"I'm honored to receive the support of our community, filled with families just like my own," she wrote. "Our stories are the story of #CO08. Join me as we fight for working families by cutting costs, making prescription drugs more affordable, & protecting our freedoms. #SiSePuede"
Si Se Puede translates roughly to, "yes we can," a popular phrase coined by United Farm Workers organizer Dolores Huerta and then used by Barack Obama in his 2004 campaign for Senate, and again in his presidential run.
In a later statement from her campaign, Caraveo said, "In many ways, the story of my family is the story of this district - my parents immigrated here to afford us a better life. And because of their hard work, I was able to go to college, become a doctor, and live my version of the American Dream. But for too many people in Colorado, that dream has slipped out of reach. Our District deserves a leader who will fight to restore access to the American Dream for working families - a leader who will not side with wealthy donors and special interests."
"Our community showed up and our voices were heard," she continued. "Together, we will fight to lower costs, make prescription drugs more affordable, make childcare and family leave more accessible, and fight for every person in America to, once again, have reproductive rights restored to them.
Carveo started her career as a pediatrician. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Caraveo, 41, did her residency in New Mexico and, following an argument with an insurance company over who had a better idea of which medicine a child patient should get, she decided to run for office.
Caraveo earned her bachelor's degree at Regis University and her MD at the University of Colorado, Denver. She was endorsed by Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Treasurer Dave Young and every Democratic member of Congress from Colorado, as well as organizations including Emily's List, End Citizen's United, Latino Victory Fund, various labor unions and more.
"From my work as a pediatrician caring for our community, to fighting for working families in the state legislature, I have spent my life serving Colorado," she said. "It's the honor of my lifetime to receive this vote of confidence to serve working families from Greeley to Commerce City in Washington, D.C. I look forward to doing the hard work to fight for working families across every part of the 8th Congressional District."
