Colorado Republican leaders, candidates respond to Congresswoman Boebert’s district switch
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The state's head of the GOP and two former opponents in the 3rd Congressional District race weighed in Thursday on Rep. Lauren Boebert's decision to move to the 4th District and run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ken Buck.
The question, is why?
Boebert was unavailable to elaborate on the switch Thursday but a possible explanation came from Rep. Dave Williams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, who's also serves as state representative for El Paso County District 15.
“She felt that because of the fundraising (against her) that was coming in from national Democrats and dark money groups, it was probably too much to overcome for her," he said. "I don’t think that’s correct. I think those are assumptions that were faulty.”
Williams described Boebert's decision as "shocking" and "unexpected," saying that, despite her past controversies, she was the best candidate to represent the 3rd District.
“We have to prop up an unknown nominee compared to Lauren Bobert," he said. "We’re going to have a nominee that doesn’t have as much money, name recognition or experience. This is why you typically want to support your incumbents, and that was Lauren Boebert. We hope we’re wrong."
Williams added that her status as somewhat of a celebrity doesn't make her the favorite in the 4th District race -- which currently has ten candidates.
"She doesn't know the voters there," he said. "That district is on the other side of the state and completely different from her home district."
Among the three other Republicans in the 3rd District race are Jeff Hurd and Russ Andrews.
"With her celebrity status, I think she's a shoo-in," Andrews said. "I think it was a brilliant move by her campaign. We're friendly and I wish her the very best of luck. Most people don't know this, but Lauren is an extremely hard worker. I think she'll do an extremely great job. As for me, I have ideas that I think can really help the district, ideas that no one else is focusing on."
Hurd downplayed Boebert's decision.
"This race had less to do with Rep. Boebert, from my perspective, to begin with," he said. "It had more to do with this district and getting results for working families -- and her leaving the race doesn't change much."
Curtis McCrackin, the remaining GOP candidate in the 3rd District race so far, did not respond to an interview request from KRDO.
Williams believes that Boebert's departure from the 3rd District will open the door to more candidates; nine are currently running.
The Democratic challenger in the district -- Adam Frisch -- released the following statement Thursday:
"Boebert is running scared from CD-3 because she knows she can’t match our campaign’s ability to connect with voters and the hard work we have put in to provide them with a common sense voice in Congress, including driving over 45,000 miles and holding hundreds of public meetings in every corner of this great district. Even before the Beetlejuice debacle that embarrassed her constituents, our campaign was polling ahead of Boebert because voters saw that we were showing up in their communities and appreciated the hard work, authenticity, sincerity, and independence that this campaign embodies. 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. My focus will remain the same, and I look forward to fighting for these priorities in Congress in 2024."
Several 4th District candidates also commented on Boebert's decision.
"I feel like she rubbed her district the wrong way and is abandoning her constituents in District 3.," said Justin Schrieber, a Republican.
The following statement came from Karen Breslin, a Democrat:
"I welcome Lauren Boebert's entry into the race. I'm familiar with her record, appreciate her passion, and value her plain talk. She tells voters that she is fighting against socialism and communism, but the real reason Americans are struggling so much is because the largest corporations and the wealthiest people control our political process. That's what I will be fighting against when I am elected. Both Lauren and I are fighters, but I will take on the corruption that has left so many Americans out in the cold, politically and economically."
Republican Jerry Sonnenburg:
"I look forward to welcoming Lauren to the fourth district and representing her in Congress. I've lived, worked, and raised my family here and I'm blessed to have always called Eastern Colorado home. The fourth district is my home, and I'm going to continue to work hard to represent the principled conservative values of everyone who lives here just as I have always done."
And this, from Republican Trent Leisy:
"Lauren’s political move is to secure a career seat in DC as she knows CD 4 is a very conservative district. She is doing exactly what she has attacked Nancy Pelosi on, which is being a lifelong career politician.
Her representation of Colorado is weakening. She doesn’t represent her current constituents and does not represent my constituents in CD4. Which is why she is seat-hopping. Not only is she a seat hopper she is a flip-flopper and has become out of touch with America First constituents by voting alongside RINO representatives.
I'm the only candidate who has vowed to fight to destroy child trafficking, destroy the porn industry, outlaw chemtrails, & financially compensate the families of the January 6 patriots. I also just happen to be the only candidate who was running before Ken Buck dropped out. I'm not in this for fame or money. I'm in this because I love President Trump and love this country."
Finally, this response from Republican Richard Holtorf, currently serving as a state representative for District 63:
"Lauren Boebert has clearly become part of the swamp - she knew she’d lose in her district so she did what swamp creatures do - look for political expediency. She abandoned her constituents because she was going to get beat. She has no clue about the issues Eastern Coloradans face. As a 4th generation rancher in this district and veteran, I’ll be a voice of fiscal conservatism that’ll fight Biden at every turn, and I won’t embarrass my district."
To see the 3rd District candidates, visit https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado%27s_3rd_Congressional_District_election,_2024.
Click here to see the 4th District candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado%27s_4th_Congressional_District.
Candidates in major elections who ran for office outside of their home districts have happened on a handful of occasions since 2000 but few have won; most notable was Hillary Clinton, elected that year to the U.S. Senate from New York, only months after moving there.
Politically, the strategy is called "carpetbagging," in which a candidate switches to another district with relaxed residency requirements and offers more advantages.
Experts consider it a bold strategy for candidates who face stronger competition in their home districts, and who value party idealism above properly meeting the needs of their home constituents.
