Current:Home > MarketsBoebert switches congressional districts, avoiding a Democratic opponent who has far outraised her-LoTradeCoin
Boebert switches congressional districts, avoiding a Democratic opponent who has far outraised her
View Date:2024-12-23 11:23:51
DENVER (AP) — Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert announced Wednesday she is switching congressional districts, avoiding a likely rematch against a Democrat who has far outraised her and following an embarrassing moment of groping and vaping that shook even loyal supporters.
In a Facebook video Wednesday evening, Boebert announced she would enter the crowded Republican primary in retiring Rep. Ken Buck’s seat in the eastern side of the state, leaving the more competitive 3rd District seat she barely won last year — and which she was in peril of losing next year as some in her party have soured on her controversial style.
Boebert implied in the video that her departure from the district would help Republicans retain the seat, saying, “I will not allow dark money that is directed at destroying me personally to steal this seat. It’s not fair to the 3rd District and the conservatives there who have fought so hard for our victories.”
“The Aspen donors, George Soros and Hollywood actors that are trying to buy this seat, well they can go pound sand,” she said.
Boebert called it “a fresh start,” acknowledging the rough year following a divorce with her husband and video of her misbehaving with a date at a performance of the musical “Beetlejuice” in Denver. The scandal in September rocked some of her faithful supporters, who saw it as a transgression of conservative, Christian values and for which Boebert apologized at events throughout her district.
She already faced a primary challenge in her district, as well as a general election face-off with Democrat Adam Frisch, a former Aspen city council member who came within a few hundred votes of beating her in 2022. A rematch was expected, with Frisch raising at least $7.7 million to Boebert’s $2.4 million.
Instead, if Boebert wins the primary to succeed Buck she will run in the state’s most conservative district, which former President Donald Trump won by about 20 percentage points in 2020, in contrast to his margin of about 8 percentage points in her district. While it’s not required that a representative live in the congressional district they represent, only the state the district is in, Boebert said she would be moving — a shift from Colorado’s western Rocky Mountain peaks and high desert mesas to its eastern expanse of prairie grass and ranching enclaves.
In 2022, Frisch’s campaign found support in the conservative district from unaffiliated voters and Republicans who’d defected over Boebert’s brash, Trumpian style. In this election, Frisch’s campaign had revived the slogan “stop the circus” and framed Frisch as the “pro-normal” alternative to Boebert’s more partisan politics.
In a statement after Boebert’s announcement, Frisch said he’s prepared for whoever will be the Republican candidate.
“From Day 1 of this race, I have been squarely focused on defending rural Colorado’s way of life, and offering common sense solutions to the problems facing the families of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.” he said. “My focus will remain the same.”
The Republican primary candidate who has raised the second most behind Boebert in the 3rd District, Jeff Hurd, is a more traditional Republican candidate. Hurd has already garnered support from prominent Republicans in the district, first reported by VailDaily.
Boebert rocked the political world by notching a surprise primary win against the incumbent Republican congressman in the 3rd District in 2020 when she ran a gun-themed restaurant in the town of Rifle, Colorado. She then tried to enter the U.S. Capitol carrying a pistol and began to feud with prominent liberal Democrats like Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
veryGood! (78)
Related
- Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie
- Keep Cool With the 9 Best Air Conditioner Deals From Amazon Prime Day 2023
- Why American Aluminum Plants Emit Far More Climate Pollution Than Some of Their Counterparts Abroad
- Why Khloe Kardashian Feels Like She's the 3rd Parent to Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's Daughter Dream
- The Office's Kate Flannery Defends John Krasinski's Sexiest Man Alive Win
- Is COP27 the End of Hopes for Limiting Global Warming to 1.5 Degrees Celsius?
- Proof Emily Blunt and Matt Damon's Kids Have the Most Precious Friendship
- Colleen Ballinger's Remaining Miranda Sings Tour Dates Canceled Amid Controversy
- Britney Spears Reunites With Son Jayden Federline After His Move to Hawaii
- The IRS will stop making most unannounced visits to taxpayers' homes and businesses
Ranking
- Ben Foster files to divorce Laura Prepon after 6 years, according to reports
- Amazon Prime Day 2023 Deal: Save 50% On the Waterpik Water Flosser With 95,800+ 5-Star Reviews
- TikTok’s Favorite Oil-Absorbing Face Roller Is Only $8 for Amazon Prime Day 2023
- 20 Lazy Cleaning Products on Sale During Amazon Prime Day for People Who Want a Neat Home With No Effort
- Deommodore Lenoir contract details: 49ers ink DB to $92 million extension
- Score This Sweat-Wicking Sports Bra With 25,700+ 5-Star Reviews For $17 on Amazon Prime Day 2023
- The Real Reason Taylor Lautner Let Fans Mispronounce His Name for Decades
- Cause of Death Revealed for Bob Marley's Grandson Jo Mersa Marley
Recommendation
-
Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
-
A New Shell Plant in Pennsylvania Will ‘Just Run and Run’ Producing the Raw Materials for Single-Use Plastics
-
Lake Powell Drops to a New Record Low as Feds Scramble to Prop it Up
-
Shocked by those extra monthly apartment fees? 3 big rental sites plan to reveal them
-
Army veteran reunites with his K9 companion, who served with him in Afghanistan
-
Wildfires in Greece prompt massive evacuations, leaving tourists in limbo
-
Expedition Retraces a Legendary Explorer’s Travels Through the Once-Pristine Everglades
-
Why American Aluminum Plants Emit Far More Climate Pollution Than Some of Their Counterparts Abroad