Democrat Trisha Calvarese launches new ad attacking Lauren Boebert

State of play: Calvarese, a former union organizer, is spending at least $100,000 on broadcast and cable to reach mainstream voters in a district that leans overwhelmingly Republican, the campaign says.

• Her strong fundraising is defying the odds and allowing her to mount a substantial challenge to Boebert, who moved into the district earlier this year to avoid a tougher fight in the 3rd District, which she currently represents.

Zoom in: The 30-second spot features Danielle Robinson, the widow of U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, who was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer after being exposed to burn pits while deployed to Iraq.

• Robinson criticizes Boebert for voting against the PACT Act, which is named in honor of her late husband and won bipartisan approval in Congress.
• The bill expanded health benefits to millions of veterans suffering from exposure to toxins.

The intrigue: Robinson also blasts Boebert for heckling President Biden when he recognized her husband during the 2022 State of the Union address.

What she's saying: "My family deserved better. So did the veterans she voted against," Robinson says in the ad.

The other side: In the campaign's lone debate in September, Boebert defended her vote, saying she puts veterans first.

• In regard to the bill, Boebert said it was too expensive and sought amendments, adding she didn't want to spend "$600 billion forever."

What we're hearing: Boebert just placed her own media buy for an TV ad on cable and digital services but the content is not yet known.