State Rep. Gabe Evans won the Republican primary Tuesday in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, meaning he’ll take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in November. 

The Associated Press called the race at 7:25 p.m., when Evans had 76% of the vote over former state Rep. Janak Joshi.

The 8th District is a toss-up that spans the northeastern Denver suburbs along U.S. 85 into Greeley. It’s expected to be one of the most competitive U.S. House races in the country in the fall. 

Caraveo won by just 1,600 votes in 2022.

“Tonight, we showed Republicans are united and fired up to win this seat and defeat Yadira Caraveo,” Evans said in a written statement. “Both in the military and law enforcement, I learned successful campaigns are run when a team works together, and I am so proud of the team we have built to take back CD8.”

Evans said he’s “ready to use my experience as a military officer and law enforcement commander to bring relief to Coloradans and save our state.”

The GOP primary race between Evans, a Hispanic Army combat veteran and former police officer, and Joshi was never expected to be close. 

Evans was the preferred choice of national Republicans, winning the endorsement of Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. He was supported by $331,000 in spending on digital ads, mailers and canvassing by the super PAC Americans For Prosperity Action, which is associated with the national conservative nonprofit of the same name.

Joshi, who only recently moved into an apartment in the district from Colorado Springs, had the endorsement of the Colorado GOP. He is an ally of party Chairman Dave Williams.

The battle between Evans and Caraveo in November is expected to be fierce, with super PACs already buying up millions of dollars in TV ad time targeting the race. The contest could determine which party controls the U.S. House starting next year.

Colorado Sun correspondent Sandra Fish contributed to this report.