Boebert wins reelection in Colorado

Conservative firebrand Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is projected to sail to victory in Colorado’s eastern 4th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Boebert currently represents the state’s western 3rd Congressional District, but she opted to run in a different House seat this cycle after she narrowly lost reelection in 2022 and as former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) decided against seeking reelection in the 4th District.

Boebert is one of former President Trump’s most ardent supporters, but her path to reelection this cycle almost collapsed.

The Colorado Republican, who’s attracted controversy and negative headlines, frustrated members of her district after she was ejected from a “Beetlejuice” musical in Denver, where she was caught being disruptive and vaping.

Though Boebert sought to address the issue with voters, she later decided to run in a completely new district in eastern Colorado amid signs she could be gearing up another close reelection. She announced her decision late last year to run in the 4th Congressional District, characterizing it as a “fresh start” following her divorce from her ex-husband.

But Boebert faced a crowded GOP primary to replace Buck, and some criticized her as a carpetbagger.

Added to those woes was Buck’s decision to retire early from Congress, triggering a special election to serve out the remainder of his term. That put Boebert in a tricky situation as she couldn’t leave her seat early to run in the special election because it would have triggered a special election for her seat while Republicans already had a slim majority in the House.

At the same time, whichever Republican was selected to run in the special election to fill Buck’s seat would have likely secured the GOP nomination for the separate race to fill the two-year term starting next year.

Boebert got a last-minute assist when Republicans eventually chose Greg Lopez to run in the special election as he only wanted to serve out the reminder of Buck’s term and not the full two-year term. Boebert won the GOP primary for the full two-year term.

Given the 4th Congressional District went for Trump by 19 points in 2020, Boebert was seen as the heavy favorite to win in November.