Another Democrat is challenging Rep. Elisabeth Epps for her House seat, potentially setting up a crowded primary to represent the Denver-based district at the state Capitol.   

Sean Camacho, an Air Force veteran and attorney who is also a former Republican, said he did not take the decision to run against Epps lightly.

“But the number of community members and neighbors who have encouraged me to run has made it clear to me that I need to do so,” he said in an announcement Wednesday.

Camacho has twice filed to run for the seat but dropped out before the primaries in both times.

“We can’t avoid the discussion that this is a campaign against a Democratic incumbent, someone with whom I share a number of core values and policy positions,” he said, referring to Epps, who already filed to run for a second term.

“However, her actions as a State Representative in her first year illustrate that she is not focused on solving the problems facing our state. I hope to bring a level of collaboration and compassion to the legislature that will help us tackle the problems we face,” Camacho added. 

On his website, Camacho said he believes the General Assembly can do more to help people, adding, “Too many politicians have lost focus of why they were elected to the legislature and instead grandstand their personal politics instead of representing their district. Good policy comes from working with people and building a coalition, something I have done my entire life.”

Camacho identified his priorities as affordable housing, teacher pay, health care, gun violence and climate change.

Also in the race is Tyler Berthelot-Meres, who is an Air Force veteran and is currently a flight operations officer for United Airlines. During his time in the Air Force, Berthelot-Meres served as a liaison for LGBTQ military members and veterans with the Modern Military Association of America. That, he said, allowed him “to advocate for inclusivity and equality within the military.”

Epps was first elected in 2022, winning a hotly-contested primary, followed by an easy win in the November election.  

Since taking office, however, she has been a lightening rod, most notably during the recent special session, in which she shut down House proceedings on the final day by joining pro-Palestinian protesters in the gallery and shouting at lawmakers, calling them “fascists.”

During her first year, Epps sponsored a bill to ban so-called “assault” weapons, which her Democratic colleagues killed based on concerns over a possible gubernatorial veto. That also applied to a bill she sponsored to permit sites where people can legally inject drugs under the supervision of medical professionals. 

She earned a veto from Gov. Jared Polis over a measure on commutation of sentences.

Another candidate, Dante Padilla, who is unaffiliated, has filed for the seat but his address indicates he does not live in the district. State law requires candidates to live in the district they wish to represent one year before the general election. Padilla filed his candidacy paperwork on Nov. 3, one year and two days before the 2024 general election. He did not return a call for comment.