DENVER (AP) — U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert emerged victorious in Tuesday’s Republican primary for a U.S. House race she entered last year, despite facing challenges such as a video scandal and accusations of carpetbagging.
Boebert’s win over four other candidates in a new district across the state from her previous residence showcased her popularity among Republicans and sets her up for a probable easy win in the November general election. It also highlighted the success of the far-right faction of the House GOP.
At her election night celebration, Boebert sported reflective gold sneakers from former President Donald Trump and a “Make America Great Again” hat. She expressed optimism for the future, stating, “America will rise again.”
Boebert defended her move to the 4th District by emphasizing shared values and pledged to advocate for policies like border security while maintaining her combative approach.
She defeated more conventional candidates in the primary, each with less name recognition and less aggressive political styles. Despite controversies surrounding her, Boebert’s national conservative following likely helped her weather the storm.
The 4th District, where Boebert is now running, heavily favored Trump in the 2020 election. Boebert entered the race after former Rep. Ken Buck resigned, paving the way for her candidacy.
In other Republican contests, Attorney Jeff Hurd won the primary for the 3rd District seat and Jeff Crank defeated Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams in the 5th District.
Both Hurd and Crank emphasized traditional Republican values in their campaigns, contrasting with the hard-right stance of the national party. Hurd will face Democrat Adam Frisch in the general election.
Overall, the Republican primary elections in Colorado showcased a mix of traditional and far-right candidates vying for congressional seats, setting the stage for heated battles in the upcoming general election.
