Yadira Caraveo

American politician and pediatrician (born 1980)

Yadira Caraveo

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 8th district
In office
January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by| Constituency established
Succeeded by| Gabe Evans
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 31st district
In office
January 4, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by| Joe Salazar
Succeeded by| Said Sharbini
Personal details
Born|  (1980-12-23) December 23, 1980 (age 44)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Political party| Democratic
Education| Regis University (BS)
University of Colorado, Denver (MD)
Website| House website

Yadira D. Caraveo (/jəˈdɪərə kɛərəˈveɪoʊ/ yə-DEER-ə kair-ə-VAY-oh; born December 23, 1980) is an American politician and pediatrician who served as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 8th congressional district from 2023 to 2025.[1][2] A Democrat, she is Colorado's first Latina member of Congress.[3][4]

She represented the 31st district in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. The district covered parts of Adams and Weld counties. Caraveo lost re-election in 2024 to Republican Gabe Evans.[5][6] In April 2025, she announced that she will run for her old seat in 2026.[7]

## Early life and education

[edit]

Caraveo was born in Denver to Mexican undocumented parents who arrived in the 1970s but were granted amnesty under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. She volunteered for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign while in medical school.[8] She received her bachelor's degree from Regis University and later her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.[9] Caraveo completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center,[10] where she was also involved with the Committee of Interns and Residents union for resident physicians.[11]

## Colorado House of Representatives

[edit]

During her tenure as a state legislator, Caraveo was also a pediatrician practicing in Thornton, Colorado.[9] She has also served on the board of trustees for the Anythink Library system in Adams County since 2017.[12]

Caraveo in the Colorado House of Representatives

### Election

[edit]

Caraveo was elected in the general election on November 6, 2018, winning 55% of the vote to Republican nominee Rico Figueroa's 39%.[13]

### Tenure

[edit]

Caraveo sponsored a bill giving free contraceptives and reproductive care to illegal immigrants, citing studies showing that the program lowers maternal mortality and infant mortality rates.[14] She sponsored a bill that would put an age requirement on some cannabis products, require coroners to conduct a THC test for all "unnatural deaths", and put a cap on potency levels in products.[15] Caraveo argued the bill would stop younger people from getting addicted to cannabis, while opponents argued testing would be racially motivated.[16][17] The bill was co-sponsored by Republican members of the legislature and disavowed by Democratic House speaker Alec Garnett.[18] She was the lead sponsor of a sex education law that prohibited abstinence-only curriculum and required schools to teach students about consent.[19]

#### Committees

[edit]

During the 73rd general assembly, Caraveo served on the following committees:[20]

* Health & Insurance (Vice Chair)
* Education

## U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

### Elections

[edit]

#### 2022

[edit]

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado § District 8

On August 24, 2021, Caraveo announced her candidacy for Colorado's 8th congressional district.[21] She was endorsed by former Colorado speaker of the House KC Becker, state senator Faith Winter, state senator Jessie Danielson, and others.[22] On April 5, 2022, Caraveo secured the Democratic nomination.[23] On November 9, 2022, Caraveo defeated Republican nominee Barbara Kirkmeyer in the general election, becoming Colorado's first Latina member of Congress.[24][25]

#### 2024

[edit]

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado § District 8

Caraveo ran for re-election in 2024 against Republican Gabe Evans. She was defeated by Evans in the general election.[26]

### Committee assignments

[edit]

For the 118th Congress:[27]

* Committee on Agriculture
* Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development (Ranking Member)
* Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
* Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture
* Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
* Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics

### Caucus memberships

[edit]

* Rare Disease Caucus[28]

## Personal life

[edit]

Caraveo is Roman Catholic.[29][30] In August 2024, Caraveo announced that she had begun treatment for depression at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.[31] This followed two incidents where Caraveo had attempted to take her own life by overdosing on medication at her home in Thornton and district office in Northglenn.[32]

## Electoral history

[edit]

Electoral history of Yadira Caraveo Year  | Office  | Party  | Primary  | General  | Result  | Swing | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Total  | %  | P.  | Total  | %  | P.
2018 | State House |  | Democratic | 6,049  | 100.0%  | 1st  | 16,242  | 55.02%  | 1st  | Won  |  | Hold | [33]
2020 |  | Democratic | 9,677  | 100.0%  | 1st  | 27,687  | 100.0%  | 1st  | Won  |  | Hold | [34]
2022 | U.S. House |  | Democratic | 38,837  | 100.0%  | 1st  | 114,377  | 48.36%  | 1st  | Won  |  | Win | [35]
2024 |  | Democratic | 35,409  | 100.0%  | 1st  | 160,871  | 48.2%  | 2nd  | Lost  |  | Win | [36]
Source: Secretary of State of Colorado | Election Results

## See also

[edit]

* List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Rakich, Nathaniel (November 10, 2022). "2022 Midterm Elections: Live Results And Latest Updates". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
2. ^ Woodruff, Chase (November 9, 2022). "Democrat Caraveo upsets GOP's Kirkmeyer to win new 8th Congressional District seat in Colorado". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
3. ^ "Latino voters make the difference, elect Dr. Yadira Caraveo as Colorado's first Latina in Congress". Al Día News. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
4. ^ Fish, Sandra (November 14, 2022). "How Yadira Caraveo, used to being an underdog, became the first Latina from Colorado elected to Congress". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
5. ^ "Gabe Evans flips 8th Congressional District for Republicans as Rep. Yadira Caraveo concedes race". The Denver Post. November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
6. ^ Paul, Jesse (November 10, 2024). "Gabe Evans unseats Yadira Caraveo in Colorado's 8th Congressional District". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
7. ^ Vakil, Caroline (April 15, 2025). ""Colorado Democrat Yadira Caraveo launches bid for seat she narrowly lost"". The Hill. Retrieved April 17, 2025. "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.)."`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. ^ Jordan, Mary; Balz, Dan (November 2, 2018). "The faces of women in the 2018 midterms". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
9. ^ a b "Colorado House District 31 candidate Q&A". The Denver Post. October 10, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
10. ^ "Yadira Caraveo, MD". Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
11. ^ Frieden, Joyce (January 1, 2022). "Healthcare, Reproductive Rights a Big Part of Pediatrician's Congressional Campaign". Medpage Today. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
12. ^ "Yadira Caraveo appointed to Anythink Board of Trustees". anythinklibraries.org. March 20, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
13. ^ "Colorado Election Results - Election Results 2018 - The New York Times". The New York Times. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
14. ^ Nieberg, Patty (May 26, 2021). "Colorado bill would give free contraceptives to immigrants". Associated Press. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
15. ^ Birkeland, Bente (April 27, 2021). "Concerns Over Teens And High Potency Marijuana Have No Easy Answers At Statehouse". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
16. ^ Birkeland, Bente (May 14, 2021). "Bill That Would Restrict Teen Marijuana Use Is Now At The Capitol". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
17. ^ Paul, Jesse (February 10, 2021). "Colorado's marijuana industry flexed its big muscles and now an effort to limit pot potency is unraveling". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
18. ^ Burness, Alex (February 4, 2021). "A Colorado Democrat wants to cap THC levels in marijuana products at 15%". The Denver Post. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
19. ^ Birkeland, Bente. "Colorado CD 8: Yadira Caraveo — what to know". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
20. ^ "Colorado General Assembly: Yadira Caraveo". Retrieved August 23, 2021.
21. ^ Paul, Jesse (August 24, 2021). "The first established politician has jumped into the race for Colorado's new 8th Congressional District". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
22. ^ Luning, Ernest (August 31, 2021). "Dem congressional candidate Yadira Caraveo picks up endorsements from lawmakers". The Gazette. Colorado Springs. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
23. ^ Fish, Sandra (April 6, 2022). "Yadira Caraveo secures Democratic nomination in Colorado's highly competitive 8th Congressional District". Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
24. ^ Luning, Ernest (August 31, 2021). "Dem congressional candidate Yadira Caraveo picks up endorsements from lawmakers". Colorado Politics. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
25. ^ Paul, Jesse (November 9, 2022). "Democrat Yadira Caraveo wins close race in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
26. ^ Paul, Jesse (November 10, 2024). "Gabe Evans unseats Yadira Caraveo in Colorado's 8th Congressional District". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
27. ^ "Yadira Caraveo". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
28. ^ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
29. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
30. ^ "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". Pew Research Center. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
31. ^ Sarles, Jesse (August 26, 2024). "Colorado's Rep. Yadira Caraveo seeks treatment for depression, says she's taking "my own advice" - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
32. ^ Kim, Caitlyn (March 28, 2025). "While contemplating her political future, former Rep. Caraveo details her personal struggles during her time in Congress". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
33. ^ "2018 Abstract of Votes Cast" (PDF). Denver: Secretary of State of Colorado. 2018. pp. 74, 116. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
34. ^ "2020 Abstract of Votes Cast" (PDF). Denver: Secretary of State of Colorado. 2020. pp. 75, 115. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
35. ^ Primary election:

* "2022 Abstract of Votes Cast: Primary Election Results" (PDF). Denver: Secretary of State of Colorado. 2022. p. 4. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
General election:

* "2022 Abstract of Votes Cast: General Election Results" (PDF). Denver: Secretary of State of Colorado. 2022. p. 4. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
36. ^ "Colorado General Election Results November 5, 2024" (PDF). sos.state.co.us. Denver: Secretary of State of Colorado. December 6, 2024. p. 4\. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yadira Caraveo.

* Representative Yadira Caraveo official U.S. House website
* Yadira Caraveo for Congress campaign website
* Appearances on C-SPAN

* Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
* Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
* Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
* Profile at Vote Smart

Colorado House of Representatives

Preceded by

Joe Salazar

|  Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 31st district
2019–2023  | Succeeded by

Said Sharbini

U.S. House of Representatives
New constituency |  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 8th congressional district
2023–2025  | Succeeded by

Gabe Evans

U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

Betsy Markey

as Former US Representative  |  Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative | Succeeded by

Rick Berg

as Former US Representative

* v
* t
* e

Members of the United States House of Representatives from Colorado

1st district|

* Pence
* Shafroth
* Bonynge
* Rucker
* Kindel
* Hilliard
* Vaile
* White
* Eaton
* Lewis
* Gillespie
* Carroll
* Rogers
* McKevitt
* Schroeder
* DeGette

2nd district|

* Bell
* Hogg
* Haggott
* Martin
* Seldomridge
* Timberlake
* Cummings
* Hill
* Dominick
* Brotzman
* McVicker
* Brotzman
* Wirth
* Skaggs
* Udall
* Polis
* Neguse

3rd district|

* Keating
* Hardy
* Martin
* Burney
* Chenoweth
* Marsalis
* Chenoweth
* Evans
* Kogovsek
* Strang
* Campbell
* McInnis
* Salazar
* Tipton
* Boebert
* Hurd

4th district|

* Taylor
* Rockwell
* Aspinall
* Johnson
* Brown
* Allard
* Schaffer
* Musgrave
* Markey
* Gardner
* Buck
* Lopez
* Boebert

5th district|

* Armstrong
* Kramer
* Hefley
* Lamborn
* Crank

6th district|

* Schaefer
* Tancredo
* Coffman
* Crow

7th district|

* Beauprez
* Perlmutter
* Pettersen

8th district|

* Caraveo
* Evans

At-large|

* Belford
* Patterson
* Belford
* Symes
* Townsend
* Brooks
* Cook
* Taylor
* Keating

Territory|

* Bennet
* Bradford
* Chilcott
* Bradford
* Chaffee
* Patterson

* v
* t
* e

Colorado's delegation(s) to the 118th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)

| 118th |

Senate:

* ▌M. Bennet (D)
* ▌J. Hickenlooper (D)

House:

* ▌D. DeGette (D)
* ▌D. Lamborn (R)
* ▌K. Buck (R)
* ▌J. Crow (D)
* ▌J. Neguse (D)
* ▌L. Boebert (R)
* ▌Y. Caraveo (D)
* ▌B. Pettersen (D)
* ▌G. Lopez (R)

|
|

Authority control databases: People |

* US Congress

|

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