Poll: Rep. Gabe Evans' approval lags behind Trump's

The big picture: More than half of registered voters in the state's most competitive congressional district would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to cut Medicaid funding, per a poll released by Healthier Colorado, a nonprofit that supports expanding the federal safety net program.

Why it matters: The poll comes as a major warning for Evans, who's gunning for reelection next year while staunchly defending the "big, beautiful bill" calling for historic reductions in Medicaid spending.

Context: The poll, conducted from May 29 to June 4, included 404 registered 8th District voters, per Healthier Colorado.

• The survey had a margin of error of +/- 4.87% at the 95% confidence interval.

State of play: A majority of 8th District voters (53%) share a favorable view of the safety net program, the poll shows, citing the health care access it provides to low-income and vulnerable people.

• Less than a quarter of respondents (23%) hold an unfavorable opinion of Medicaid.

Between the lines: Republicans like Evans are framing the federal spending proposal as a measure to curb fraud and waste in the federal safety net program — but most voters aren't buying that, Healthier Colorado CEO Jake Williams said during a Tuesday press call.

What they're saying: "Republicans' plan increases Medicaid spending every single year and makes the program more efficient by cutting out fraud, waste, and abuse," Delanie Bomar, a spokesperson for Evans' reelection campaign, said in a statement.

What's next: 19,276 people could lose Medicaid coverage in the 8th District under the current Republican proposal, per a recent analysis from U.S. House Democrats.