Denver: Eileen Laubacher Defeats Lauren Boebert in Colorado House Race

Eileen Laubacher defeated Rep. Lauren Boebert for a U.S. House seat in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District on Friday. Laubacher, a former Navy rear admiral, ousted Boebert, a three-term Republican who became well-known through conservative media.

Boebert represents the 4th District, a seat Republicans carried by more than 18 percentage points in the 2024 election. Despite that margin, the district proved vulnerable in this year’s midterms. Laubacher’s victory joins a series of surprising losses for the Republican Party nationwide.

The defeated representative has been a prominent figure in recent Republican politics. She owns a gun-themed restaurant called Shooters Grill in Rifle, Colorado. During her time in Congress, Boebert made headlines for refusing to pass through metal detectors at the U.S. Capitol and for taunting Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Boebert initially rose to prominence alongside the “Make America Great Again” movement. After a narrow reelection bid in her previous district, she moved to the more Republican-leaning 4th District. Her defeat marks the end of her three terms in the House.

Returning to the Capitol this week, Boebert addressed the widespread Republican losses. She stated, “We collectively failed.” She added, “It’s very clear. The American people let us know we have failed in this governing experience for this Congress.”

In a video posted on social media Friday, Boebert confirmed she called Laubacher to congratulate her on the win. She also thanked the residents of the district for their participation in the election.