What voters in Colorado's most competitive district are saying
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Northglenn resident Gary Meyer, 69, speaks to a volunteer from Trust Brigade, a canvassing organization. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
The fight for control of the U.S. House runs through Gary Meyer's front yard.
Zoom in: The 69-year-old Northglenn resident lives in Colorado's 8th Congressional District, where Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans is defending the toss-up seat he flipped two years ago against Democrat Manny Rutinel.
Why it matters: The House majority may come down to voters like Meyer in Denver's politically divided northern suburbs.
Driving the news: Meyer and his neighbors recently spoke to canvassers from Trust Brigade, a Democratic-aligned super PAC attempting to flip the district blue.
State of play: A walk down Meyer's Northglenn block reveals the political fault lines running through the district.
- Affordability was top of mind for most voters, particularly the rising cost of gas and groceries.
Caveat: Most people weren't familiar with either congressional candidate — though they had plenty to say about President Trump.
Republicans probably can't count on Meyer's vote. He knew little about the U.S. House candidates, but his thoughts on Trump were clear: "Get Trump's ass out of there."
The other side: A few doors away, Jessica Patrick, 40, sang Trump's praises.
- The president is running the country like "a proper business," she tells us, and is a negotiator. "I am really big on the fact that he's not a politician," she adds.
- She plans to sit out the November election, telling us she believes her vote doesn't count.
The intrigue: Patrick's sister, Jen Brown, 38, lives a few miles away in Thornton — another 8th District city — and lands on the opposite side of the Trump divide.
- Brown doesn't support Trump, but tells us she maintains a respectful dialogue with her sister despite their political differences.
Between the lines: Dominic Aguilar, 28, has voted for Trump three times but broke with him over his support for Israel.
- Aguilar is undecided in the 8th District race, adding he wants to learn more about each candidate's policies.
- Whoever gets his vote, Aguilar isn't sold on politicians: "They're all snakes; it's just which one's bite is gonna prick less."
The bottom line: Trump isn't on the November ballot, but his presence will loom over Colorado's hottest contested race.
- Republicans likely hope that Trump's unpopularity in Colorado won't torpedo their shot at retaining the seat.