Latest news with #8thCongressionalDistrict
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Colorado teachers union president Amie Baca-Oehlert launches congressional bid
Amie Baca-Oehlert, a former teachers union president, launches her congressional campaign in Colorado's 8th District at Adams City High School on June 5, 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) It's suddenly a very crowded race in the Democratic primary for Colorado's most competitive congressional seat. One day after Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young announced his bid, former teachers union president Amie Baca-Oehlert became the latest Democratic hopeful in the 8th Congressional District, a key battleground in the nationwide battle for control of the House of Representatives. Baca-Oehlert, who served as president of the Colorado Education Association from 2018 to 2024, launched her campaign in front of a crowd of about 50 supporters Thursday evening at Adams City High School, where she got her first teaching job. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'When I look at Congress, I don't see people like me,' Baca-Oehlert said. 'I don't see enough teachers, Latinos, moms, union members or middle class Americans. What I do see is a broken system, a system that caters to the wealthy and well-connected, where plenty of politicians are looking out for themselves and their billionaire donors.' Drawn by an independent redistricting commission in 2021, the 8th District includes parts of Denver's northern suburbs as well as more rural areas in southern Weld County. Four in 10 residents of the district are Latino. The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, a Fort Lupton Republican who unseated former Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo by a margin of fewer than 2,500 votes in the 2024 election. Despite representing one of the nation's most evenly divided congressional districts, Evans has remained a steadfast supporter of President Donald Trump's historically extreme anti-immigration agenda, his chaotic efforts to launch a global trade war and a sweeping GOP budget bill that would cut $625 billion from Medicaid. 'Nearly all of us are hurting right now, because of the fear, division and economic turmoil that Trump has created,' Baca-Oehlert said. 'And Evans is literally standing by — standing beside his friends like Lauren Boebert, to promote this disastrous agenda, and not fight against it.' Boebert, a staunch Trump supporter, is the Republican representative of Colorado's 4th Congressional District. Caraveo has launched a bid to win back her seat in 2026, joining a Democratic primary that also includes Young, state Reps. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City and Shannon Bird of Westminster. Baca-Oehlert's campaign launch featured endorsements from Adams County Commissioner Emma Pinter and former state Reps. Judy Solano and Joe Salazar. 'I know all the candidates that are running, I know all of them,' Solano told the crowd. 'But Amy's the one.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Politico
21-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Landing the budget plane
Presented by Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. TOP TALKER COUNTDOWN: We're 10 days away from state lawmakers needing to nail down a balanced budget, and though there are some positive vibes coming from House leaders, most folks in Springfield remain cautious or outright concerned. 'Uncertainty' reigns, said a state legislator who was granted anonymity to speak openly. 'There's a search to get revenue to fill the gaps. And there are a lot of gaps. No one has the answers. Not the speaker, not the [Senate] president and not the governor.' The Trump factor: 'We're extremely concerned' about the impact of the Trump administration's budget cuts, funding freezes and tariffs, said a person familiar with the governor's team. 'It's difficult to plan a budget when the actions in Washington keep shifting.' To that point: Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner told Playbook, 'There's a lot of noise coming from Washington, and plenty of uncertainty around federal dollars, but that doesn't give us a hall pass. The people of Illinois didn't elect us to flinch. They elected us to finish. We're close. We'll land it.' One thing's for sure: While there's a search for revenue raisers, cuts will have to be made. Pritzker has reiterated that any new spending proposed by legislators must be offset with cuts somewhere. 'It's a tight budget year, so no one's going to get everything they want,'Pritzker said in an interview with ABC 7's Craig Wall. A bright spot for Chicago: Pritzker said Mayor Brandon Johnson's team has made 'somewhat reasonable asks' that the legislature 'should take [that[ into account,' according to Craig's report. More positive energy: House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel told Playbook, 'We're in a very good place' with the budget. For perspective: State legislatures across the country are facing similar perilous budget decisions. Some states, like California with its $12 deficit, have a much steeper hill to climb than Illinois. THE BUZZ AS DEMOCRATS CLAMBER to run for the Illinois congressional seats that have opened up, there's been a scramble — and some squabbling — for endorsements. Advantage game: Endorsements from trusted elected officials and community leaders give credibility to a campaign. Jumping the gun: Sometimes eager candidates confuse kind words with an endorsement, or endorsers speak too soon, maybe getting pressure from other challengers to pull back their support. Something like that occurred in the 8th Congressional District contest. Yasmeen Bankole, a Hanover Park trustee running in the 8th District Democratic congressional primary, celebrated a number of endorsements the other day only to see two of them pull back. Good vibes but not endorsing: Samreen Khan, a suburban school board member, said she's not ready to endorse after all, even though she said, 'I adore Yasmeen.' And Nazneen Hashmi, a Streamwood trustee, told Playbook, 'My conversation was mistaken as an endorsement.' Who needs 'em: Bankole is taking it in stride and is out with a new list of endorsers: DuPage County Board members Lucy Chang Evans, Sheila Rutledge and Yeena Yoo and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commissioner Tina Tyson-Dunne. 'I'm excited to endorse,' said Chang Evans in a statement. WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At 121 North LaSalle Street at 9 a.m. for the James D. Montgomery Sr. Dedication Ceremony — At City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the City Council Where's Toni At the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs at 10 a.m. for the Nature IS Accessible! event — At the First United Methodist Church at noon for a memorial service to honor indigent residents who came under the care of the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — The Danny Davis question: Congressman Danny Davis, who hasn't officially announced his plans for 2026, tells Playbook he's only focused on the budget negotiations in Washington this week. But we hear state Rep. La Shawn Ford, an ally of Davis', has started to call mayors and aldermen in the 7th Congressional District to let them know he's pulling together a campaign. Stay tuned. — Jennifer Pritzker, the billionaire philanthropist and cousin to Illinois' governor, has donated $39,200 to California governor candidate Toni Atkins, according to California election filings. Pritzker is a transgender retired Army lieutenant colonel and Republican who turned her back on voting for President Donald Trump. Atkins is a Democratic California state legislator and was the first female and first openly LGBTQ+ president pro tempore in the California Senate. — Patrick Hanley, who's running for state Senate, has been endorsed by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Laura Murphy and Senate Majority Whip Julie Morrison. Hanley is running for the seat now held by state Sen. Laura Fine, who's running for Congress. THE STATEWIDES — NEW POLL: As lawmakers consider legislation to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program, supporters are out with a new poll showing 84 percent of voters support the measure. What's more, bipartisan support remains strong at 71 percent even after voters in the poll were told it could be funded with a new tax. In 2023, the General Assembly passed an initiative to provide universal school meals to all public-school students in Illinois. However, the program remains unfunded. The American Heart Association commissioned the poll, and Global Strategy Group conducted it, contacting 800 registered Illinois voters from April 22 through 28. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points — About junk fees: The Illinois Junk Fee Transparency Act (SB1486) has unanimously passed out of the House Consumer Protection Committee. Rep. Bob Morgan, who's carrying it, has added 45 co-sponsors. The measure would crack down on hidden and deceptive junk fees that inflate prices for everyday purchases, such as hotel bookings, food delivery apps and event tickets. The bill calls for upfront pricing and gives the attorney general authority to hold violators accountable. The measure has already been passed by the Senate and now heads to the full House for a vote. — Ban on carbon injections within Mahomet Aquifer heads to Pritzker's desk, by Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore — Prisoner Review Board reform, changes to police hiring clear General Assembly: 'House also approves bill in response to deadly 2021 tornado that hit Illinois warehouse,' by Capitol News' Bridgette Fox and Ben Szalinskiand. — Bill banning carbon sequestration near Mahomet Aquifer clears General Assembly, by Capitol News' Jade Aubrey — OPINION: Illinoisans shouldn't pay more for car insurance based on their ZIP code and credit score, writes Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias in the Tribune CHICAGO — Ethics board cites 7 aldermen for being late filing their annual financial interest forms: 'Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, faces a $250 fine for not turning in the annual form, which is required of most city officials and employees, according to the ethics board. The other City Council members who were called out — but not fined — for blowing past the May 1 deadline were Aldermen Stephanie Coleman, Derrick Curtis, Jim Gardiner, William Hall, Julia Ramirez and Monique Scott,' by the Tribune's Alice Yin. — A NATIONAL TAKE | McCormick Place was a bird killer until a small change made a world of difference: 'Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for migrating birds, and a glassy lakefront conference center was especially lethal,' by The New York Times' Catrin Einhorn. — Teen 'snap curfew' plan advances as sponsor Ald. Brian Hopkins gives more power to police, by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan — Mayor wants to sell up to $4.3B of debt for O'Hare to fund infrastructure projects and refinance outstanding obligations, by Bloomberg's Shruti Singh — Struggling 'Asia on Argyle' businesses hope for boost from Mendoza's video series, by NBC 5's Vi Nguyen ILLINOIS' POPE — Village of Dolton plans to take ownership of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home: 'The current owners of the home, at 212 E. 141st Place, had planned to auction off the home,' by the Sun-Times' Cindy Hernandez. COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Naperville Councilman McBroom, DuPage GOP, Awake Illinois battle District 203 over transgender female athletes: 'In a case that has evoked hundreds of online comments and national media attention, Naperville-based Awake Illinois Monday filed a federal Title IX complaint against the district with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights,' by the Tribune's Michelle Mullins and the Naperville Sun's Tess Kenny. — Cook County top prosecutor pushes for changes in Illinois law after California fertility clinic bombing: 'Eileen O'Neil Burke wants to amend the Illinois criminal code to consider attacks on reproductive health clinics terrorism. But the ACLU of Illinois is opposed, saying it could be used against people who protest clinics run by abortion opponents,' by WBEZ's Elvia Malagón. — New era in Wheeling Township starts with swearing in of Democratic slate, by the Daily Herald's Steve Zalusky — Chicago suburbs listed among 250 elite towns by U.S. News & World Report, by the Daily Herald's Steve Zalusky MEDIA MATTERS — Syndicated content in Sun-Times special section included AI-generated misinformation: 'A Chicago freelance journalist said he did not fact-check information he compiled using AI before including it in stories for media clients,' by WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos. TAKING NAMES — Mideast to Midwest: Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Yinam Cohen hosted a celebration in honor of Israel's 77th Independence Day on Tuesday in Skokie. Among the 500 guests were Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Indiana Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton also offered congratulatory remarks in a video message. — Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday by the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. The group also honored Maria Razumich-Zec, the regional VP, USA and Managing Director at the Peninsula Chicago; and Marilynn Gardner, the president and CEO of Navy Pier, with Ambassador of Hospitality Awards. Reader Digest We asked how social media shapes the way we talk about politics today. Charles Keller: 'Social media's benefit depends on whether you stay in a comfortable echo chamber or are open to hearing opposing views.' Brent Pruim: 'It has dramatically worsened the 'illusion of explanatory depth.' Lots of newly minted constitutional law professors out there.' NEXT QUESTION: Is there a politician or leader you admire, even if you don't agree with everything they stand for? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Sens. Durbin and Duckworth question Prime Healthcare after changes to Illinois hospitals: 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter, by the Tribune's Lisa Schencker. THE NATIONAL TAKE — U.S. Supreme Court may broaden religious rights in looming rulings: 'University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn said he expects the rulings will continue the court's years-long trend of sharply limiting the application of the establishment clause and dramatically expanding the application of the free exercise clause,' by Reuters' John Kruzel. — Republicans close in on 'big, beautiful' deal after a Trump pep talk, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade and Meredith Lee Hill — Mace, alleging assault, shares nude photo of herself during House hearing she says was taken without her consent, by POLITICO's Amanda Friedman IN MEMORIAM — George Wendt, native South Sider best known as Norm from 'Cheers,' dies At 76: 'He was also a legendary 'SNL' Superfan who loved 'Da Bears,'' by the Block Club's Gwen Ihnat. — Judge Kenneth Moy, who was the first Asian American elected to county office in Illinois when he was elected to the DuPage County Board and before going on to take the bench, has died. His obit is here. TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: The First Illinois Light Artillery, also known as Smith's Chicago Light Artillery, was the first Illinois unit to see action in the Civil War on April 25, 1861, near Cairo when they participated in the capture of two steamships. TODAY's QUESTION: In the years before Lake Michigan was well-filtered, what did some unlucky Chicagoans find in their tap water? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ald. Andre Vasquez, state Senate spokesman and strategic adviser John Patterson, state Treasurer Legislative Affairs Director Catherine Shannon and architecture writer Ed Keegan -30-
Axios
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Scoop: Amie Baca-Oehlert eyes 8th District run
Amie Baca-Oehlert, the former president of the state's largest teachers union, is considering competing for the Democratic nomination in the 8th Congressional District, Axios Denver has learned. State of play: Baca-Oehlert on Wednesday discussed jumping into the race during a reception marking the end of Colorado's 2025 legislative session hosted by the Working Families Party in downtown Denver. The big picture: Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans flipped the seat in last year's election. Yadira Caraveo, the first person elected to the seat after its creation in 2021, and state Rep. Manny Rutinel are already running in the Democratic primary. Why it matters: A crowded Democratic primary indicates surging enthusiasm within the party, who see the seat as completely up for grabs. What they're saying:"The truth is, the power in this office is not about me. It is about all of us coming together to demand the fight for change that we need and will see," Baca-Oehlert said during Wednesday's reception. She said her potential campaign wouldn't be built by billionaires, but "working friends and family." Context: A former school counselor and English teacher, Baca-Oehlert served as president of the Colorado Education Association from 2018 to 2024, stepping down due to term limits. She's previously worked at Adams City High School and Northglenn High School, both in the 8th District. The intrigue: Term-limited State Treasurer Dave Young, a Democrat who also attended Wednesday's event, tells us he's weighing a potential run, though he hasn't made a final decision.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado Democrat Yadira Caraveo launches bid for seat she narrowly lost
Former Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.) announced Tuesday that she's running for her old House seat in Colorado's 8th Congressional District, which she narrowly lost last cycle to Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.). 'The 8th District deserves a representative who's looking out for them but Gabe Evans has already shown that he will always put Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and his MAGA backers in Washington first,' she said in a post on Facebook. 'I can't stand by while Gabe Evans tries to rip away health care from tens of thousands of Coloradans, including the very families I served as a pediatrician, and make life harder for working families,' she continued. 'Now more than ever, Coloradans need a leader who will stand up for them and do the right thing – I'm ready to continue doing just that.' Caraveo was first elected to the Colorado seat, which is situated between Fort Collins and Denver and includes Greeley, in 2022, after the state added another district following the decennial census. But the pediatrician-turned-lawmaker lost her seat to Evans in November by roughly three-fourths of a percentage point. Caraveo, however, isn't the only Democrat who's already announced a bid — state Rep. Manny Rutinel has thrown his hat into the ring as well as John Szemler, a process improvement consultant. Others could join the field, too. Zach Bannon, a regional press secretary with the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Caraveo 'is jumping in a competitive primary that is certain to be a fight to the far left to stay relevant.' 'Whoever emerges from the Democrats' radical rat race will be just another out-of-touch liberal ready to be rejected by Coloradans,' he added in a post on social platform X. The seat is rated by the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report as a 'toss up.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
