Scott James said Wednesday his vast experience in local government will help him break through the glitzy quagmire that has swallowed federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
“People are tired of the show, they want somebody who can get things done,” said James, currently a Weld County Commissioner.
James is running for the Republican nomination to take on incumbent Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo. A Democrat, Caraveo won the newly minted 8th Congressional District seat in 2022 by a narrow margin.
The race for the Eighth is attracting national attention, as it could decide the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. James said the district – which includes parts of Weld, Adams and Larimer counties – is also evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.
That plays to his strengths, James said, which includes crossing the political aisle to work with Democrats and independents.
“You have to do that in local government, and I’ve done that most of my career,” he said. “You have to get things done.”
The sagging economy demands the biggest fix, James said.
“People can’t afford housing anymore, they can’t afford food, people are losing hope,” he said.
James’s opponents for the GOP nomination have zero to almost no experience in local government, James said.
“My experience in local government goes back 25 years,” he said. “I can work with people to accomplish what needs to be done.”
Running against James for the Republican nomination is Joe Andujo, an Air Force veteran and a health insurance consultant and Gabe Evans, U.S Army veteran and former police officer. Evans was elected to the Colorado House in November 2022 to represent District 48.
Prior to being county commissioner, James served on the Johnstown City Council and a term as mayor. He was also the former chair of the Weld County GOP and a radio host.
James on Wednesday was flanked by 20 Colorado county commissioners who endorsed his bid to unseat Caraveo.
Fremont County Commissioner Debbie Bell said she is backing James because of his grounded approach to government.
“He will bring back common sense to the government, something we have been lacking,” Bell said. “He understands that smaller government is better government.”