Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans raised $839,000 in the year’s first quarter in Colorado’s battleground 8th Congressional District, his campaign said Tuesday.

The first-term lawmaker from Fort Lupton plans to report finishing the quarter with $750,000 cash on hand in the state’s newest and most competitive House district, where Evans unseated Democratic incumbent Yadira Caraveo last fall by fewer than 2,500 votes. According to campaign finance reports, Evans started the year with just under $50,000 left over from his 2024 campaign.

Caraveo, who declared early Tuesday that she wants a rematch, faces state Rep. Manny Rutinel in next year’s Democratic primary.

Last week, Rutinel’s campaign said the Commerce City lawmaker hauled in more than $1.1 million since launching his candidacy in late January. Rutinel’s campaign reported Tuesday morning that he raised $1.19 million and finished the quarter with $658,000 in the bank.

First quarter reports — covering fundraising and expenditures from Jan. 1 to March 30 — are due to the Federal Election Commission by midnight Tuesday.

The closely divided district covers parts of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties, stretching along U.S. 85 from suburbs north of Denver to Greeley. It’s been rated as a toss-up seat by election analysts since its creation following the 2020 census.

Democrats and Republicans are again targeting the seat, which could help determine which party controls the House of Representatives after next year’s election.

An Evans campaign spokeswoman told Colorado Politics that the campaign’s fundraising demonstrates that the incumbent is prepared to defend the seat.

“We are kicking off the 2026 cycle strong because of the overwhelming, historic support for Congressman Gabe Evans,” Delanie Bomar said in a statement. “Team Evans is so grateful for voters’ support for Gabe’s mission to make Colorado a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Evans raised more than twice as much as Caraveo brought in during her first quarter in office in 2023, when she reported raising $351,000 and finished the fundraising period with $293,000 in the bank.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include Democrat Manny Rutinel’s first quarter fundraising totals.