Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado conceded on November 13 to Democratic challenger Eileen Laubacher in the state’s 4th Congressional District race, according to the Associated Press. With 99% of votes counted, Laubacher led Boebert by 48.8% to 47.9%, a margin of 3,441 votes. Libertarian candidate Douglas Mangeris received 3.3% of the vote.
Boebert publicly acknowledged the outcome in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating she had called Laubacher to congratulate her and thanked God for her service. “He sent me to serve,” she wrote. “My time to be sent to another unknown place is now.” She added that she would remain engaged in public life, telling followers to “stay tuned.”
Election Results and District Context
Laubacher, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral with 34 years of service, including deployments in Afghanistan and a role on the National Security Council under President Joe Biden, secured the seat in a district that had been considered one of Colorado’s most Republican-leaning. The race was called by the Associated Press on November 13 at 2:53 p.m. ET.
Boebert, first elected in 2021, had previously won reelection in 2022 by just 546 votes in Colorado’s 3rd District. In 2023, she relocated to the 4th District, a move framed as an effort to bolster her reelection prospects in a more conservative area. Despite this shift, she lost by a narrow margin.
Boebert’s Political Trajectory and Recent Challenges
Boebert’s reelection bid faced headwinds following a public rift with former President Donald Trump. In May 2024, Trump criticized Boebert on Truth Social, calling her a “dumb” ally and threatening a primary challenge after she endorsed Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in his primary race against Trump’s preferred candidate, Ed Gallego. Boebert refused to back down, stating she stood by Massie despite his opposition to Trump on issues such as the Iran war and budget deficits.
Massie ultimately lost his primary to Gallego, who went on to win the seat in Kentucky’s 4th District.
In an interview with NewsNation on November 12, Boebert attributed her loss to broader Republican challenges, citing gas prices, the war in Iran, and congressional inaction on corruption. She also argued that members of the House Freedom Caucus, including herself, had not been heard on issues such as government surveillance and election integrity.
Laubacher’s Campaign Focus
Laubacher campaigned on affordability and anti-corruption, positioning herself as a candidate focused on economic stability and government reform. Her military background and national security experience were central themes in her messaging.
The race in Colorado’s 4th District was one of more than 40 Republican-held seats nationwide that flipped to Democrats in the 2024 midterm elections, reflecting broader trends in voter sentiment toward the economy and foreign policy.