Rep. Lauren Boebert cruises to GOP primary victory in Colorado's 4th District
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Lauren Boebert easily won the Republican nomination for a new seat in Congress in Tuesday's primary election, but the two-term congresswoman fell short of majority support in the 4th District.
Why it matters: Her victory in the ruby-red district all-but ensures another term despite a barrage of criticism for leaving the 3rd District and her repeated missteps since taking office.
Driving the news: Boebert took 43% in preliminary results from the early vote. The Associated Press projected her as the winner 22 minutes after polls closed at 7pm.
- Her five challengers split the protest vote against her, helping deliver her a victory. The closest finishers were Jerry Sonnenberg, a former state senator, and Deborah Flora, a conservative radio host.
- The remaining three candidates stood at 11% or less.
What's she's saying: "We know we are going to have a landslide victory on Nov. 5 in CD4," she said at a victory party, the Colorado Sun reports.
The big picture: The firebrand congresswoman's decision to switch districts after winning her Western Slope seat by a meager 546 votes in 2022 all but assured her primary victory.
- Her challengers battled for months to establish themselves as the top rival, blasting Boebert for her behavior and desire for the spotlight.
- But an early poll showed her with a significant lead and she outraised her opponents by significant margins. She consistently reminded voters that former President Trump endorsed her in the race.
What we're watching: The 4th District is the most Republican in the state, but some Democrats believe they have a chance to mount a viable challenge given her record.
The other side: In the Democratic primary, Trisha Calvarese defeated two challengers to take the Democratic nomination with 45% of the vote. Ike McCorkle finished second with 41%.
