Jun 24, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Boebert, Bowman in Tuesday's primaries to watch

Kathleen Hunter

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) — whose many antics have earned her nationwide name ID — is among the lawmakers seeking to keep a near-perfect House incumbent winning streak going when Colorado, New York and Utah hold down-ballot primaries Tuesday.

Why it matters: Compared to 2022, when 14 incumbent losses were the second most since 1948, just one sitting House lawmaker has been defeated so far this year (and that was a race in which two incumbents faced off due to redistricting).

However, after Virginia's primaries last week, Rep. Bob Good trails state senator and former Navy SEAL John McGuire by about 300 votes in a race that's all but certain to head to a recount.
Still, any upset Tuesday would be significant.

The big picture: Polls show Boebert poised for victory, even though her decision to seek re-election in the deep-red 4th District — across the state from her current Western Colorado district — prompted Republican rivals to label her a carpetbagger.

Zoom in: Axios Denver's John Frank has a full accounting of Boebert's most memorable exploits, which include getting kicked out of a theater during a performance of "Beetlejuice," claiming schools were providing litter boxes "for people who identify as cats" and heckling President Biden during his State of the Union address.

Zoom out: Boebert's effort to win retiring Rep. Ken Buck's 4th District seat has left an opening in the 3rd that multiple Republicans are vying to fill.

In Colorado's 8th District, State Rep. Gabe Evans has former President Trump's backing as he battles former state lawmaker Janak Joshi to take on Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo in November.

In the Colorado Springs-based 5th District, Trump is backing state Republican Party chairman Dave Williams, who recently called for burning all Pride flags, against Jeff Crank, a former strategist for the conservative group Americans for Prosperity. The AFP Action PAC has spent $476,000 since mid-March to help Crank.
In New York, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D) is facing a strong challenge from pro-Israel Westchester County executive George Latimer after his increasingly pro-Palestinian positions put him at odds with once-close political allies.
In reliably Republican Utah, Rep. John Curtis, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and businessman Jason Walton are vying for the GOP nomination to replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney. Trump has endorsed Staggs.

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Boebert, Bowman in Tuesday's primaries to watch

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