Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Democratic challenger, Eileen Laubacher, declared victory Monday, ending Ms. Boebert’s tenure in what was considered Colorado’s most conservative district.
Ms. Boebert has not conceded and says she will wait until all votes are counted.
CNN’s Decision Desk projected Monday that Ms. Laubacher would win. With 98% of the vote counted, she had 48.8% to Ms. Boebert’s 47.9%.
People were interested in these podcasts
Ms. Laubacher led by 3,237 votes, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office.
“But making history means nothing if we don’t make a difference,” Ms. Laubacher said in a statement. “To those who voted for me, thank you. I will strive to make you proud. To those who didn’t, I’ll fight just as hard for you and hope to earn your support.”
Ms. Boebert said on social media that declaring victory now is “like icing a cake before it comes out of the oven.”
Her campaign said ballots are still being counted, including mail and provisional military and overseas ballots, with Friday the final day for counting. The campaign called it “irresponsible” to declare a winner while many votes are outstanding.
The campaign also said it’s investigating “some very unusual voting patterns.”
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Monday that “Colorado’s elections are safe, secure and accurate.”
Colorado law requires an automatic recount when the margin is less than half of 1% of the winner’s total votes, and a losing candidate can request one at her own expense.
Ms. Boebert’s margin is roughly double the automatic threshold. Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, said he does not expect a recount to change the outcome.
Ms. Boebert first entered Congress in 2021, representing the 3rd District. She beat Democrat Adam Frisch by 546 votes in 2022, then switched to the 4th District and won by more than 11 points in 2024.
The Cook Political Report rates the 4th District R+9 on its Partisan Voting Index, making it Colorado’s most Republican. Cook moved the race from “solid Republican” to “leans Republican” in late October.
Ms. Laubacher is a retired Navy rear admiral who served as senior director for South Asia at the National Security Council from October 2022 to May 2024 under former President Joseph R. Biden. A former registered Republican, she became unaffiliated and registered as a Democrat in March 2025.
She traveled to Washington on Monday for new-member orientation.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.