1-minute voter guide: Democratic race for 4th Congressional District
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Two Douglas County Democrats are making different cases for how to challenge U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, setting up a primary that's as much about strategy as ideology.
The big picture: Former Republican and retired Navy Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher, 57, enters the primary's final weeks as the favorite, backed by a military resume, national profile and fundraising edge in a district that anchors much of Colorado's Republican base.
- The Highlands Ranch resident spent 34 years in the Navy, including as a senior defense official and attaché in India, before serving on President Biden's National Security Council.
- She's focused on rising costs for working families.
Her opponent, Jenna Preston, is a clinical psychologist from Parker who's argued Democrats should prioritize grassroots organizing over national fundraising.
- Preston, 54, is running as a certified write-in candidate.
Zoom in: Douglas County is the linchpin for determining whether Democrats can make meaningful gains in CD-4.
- While Republicans dominate the district overall, the county has become increasingly competitive and offers Democrats their clearest opportunity to cut into GOP margins.
Follow the money: Laubacher has emerged as one of the country's top House fundraisers and is already outraising Boebert.
The pitch: Democrats see Laubacher's military credentials, fundraising strength and former Republican affiliation as potential assets with independents and GOP-leaning voters.
Reality check: Boebert, a Windsor Republican, won CD-4 by nearly 12 points in 2024.
Yes, but: That was smaller than the margins Republicans usually post in the district.
The bottom line: Democrats see Laubacher as a test case for whether a former Republican with military credentials can attract right-leaning independents and moderate Republicans who might not otherwise consider a Democrat.