Rep. Elisabeth Epp’s primary challenger has outraised the incumbent House legislator, securing key endorsements from colleagues and maximum contributions from several current Democratic legislators.

Sean Camacho raked in the top dollars, pulling over $58,000 between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, the most recent campaign finance reporting period showed. 

His campaign chest counted contributions from fellow Democratic lawmakers, and, more notably, from leadership funds, which are set up to raise money to help Democrats keep their legislative seats and try and win others.

All told, 17 current state lawmakers — including 11 of Epps’ fellow House Democrats — have endorsed Camacho, a nearly unprecedented show of support for someone challenging an incumbent.

Indeed, the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State showed that Democratic lawmakers, both past and present, are being generous with Camacho, who seeks to secure the Democratic nomination for the Denver-based House District 6.

Along with Epps, Tyler James Mertholet-Beres is also contending for the House seat in the June primary.

Most of those who endorsed Camacho have made maximum contributions to his campaign coffers.

House Majority Leader Monica Duran gave $450 to Camacho’s campaign in the most recent reporting period, along with maximum contributions to 15 current Democratic House incumbents.

Camacho’s endorsements included several former lawmakers, and new to the list is former state Rep. Said Sharbini of Adams County, who stepped down from the House last month. Sharbini cited financial pressures and the toxic environment in the House, which some have attributed to Epps’ actions.

In the same reporting period, Epps raised just over $8,000. She did not get any contributions from current or former lawmakers in the latest report.

Epps received contributions from Reps. Elizabeth Velasco and Junie Joseph in 2023 — before the special session in November — as well as from former state Rep. Gloria Leyba.

Earlier this year, the House leadership reprimanded Epps, who joined pro-Palestinian protesters in the gallery during the November special session and at one point called fellow lawmakers “fascist.” House Speaker Julie McCluskie issued a a sternly-worded warning that such actions in the future could lead to more serious consequences.

Camacho has led fundraising, bringing in $20,000 more than Epps.

Meanwhile, the fundraising race between current Democratic Rep. Tim Hernández in House District 4 and his chief opponent, former judge Cecelia Espenoza, belonged to the latter as of Dec. 31.

Espenoza brought in more than $50,000 in the most recent reporting period, compared to just over $8,000 for Hernández. Espenoza also loaned her campaign $5,000. 

Hernández defeated Espenoza for the seat in a vacancy election last August.

Espenoza’s campaign contributors included former state Reps. Polly Baca, Adrienne Benavidez, Dan Pabon and Joel Judd.

Hernández received contributions from current lawmakers, including Duran, state Sens. Robert Rodriguez and Nick Hinrichsen, former state Rep. Bri Buentello, and leadership funds run by Epps and Rep. Manny Rutinel.

The primary race in the district also included Antonio Soto, who has not reported any campaign contributions.