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Democrat Eileen Laubacher has declared victory over Republican Lauren Boebert in Colorado's 4th Congressional District race, despite the race not being officially called. Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral, announced her win on Monday (November 9) while holding a lead of more than 3,300 votes. She has already traveled to Washington, D.C., for new-member orientation, according to 9NEWS.
Boebert has not conceded and her campaign is monitoring the vote count, raising concerns about unusual voting patterns. They suggest a recount might be requested. Colorado law mandates an automatic recount if the margin is within 0.5% of the leading candidate's vote total. As of Monday, Laubacher had 185,923 votes to Boebert's 182,686, with about 97.9% of votes counted.
The Denver Post reports that Laubacher's lead is outside the threshold for an automatic recount. Boebert's campaign stated they are "fighting for every vote" and investigating voting patterns. Boebert, known for her controversial tenure, has not repeated earlier claims of voting irregularities.
Laubacher, who recently became a Democrat, emphasized her moderate stance and willingness to work across party lines. She moved to Highlands Ranch two years ago and focused her campaign on affordability issues. Her victory reflects a broader wave of Democratic wins across the country, with Colorado's 4th District historically leaning Republican.
CNN projects Laubacher as the winner, ending Boebert's tenure in Congress. Boebert, who has been a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, faced challenges in her political career, including a narrow win in 2022 and controversies that have drawn national attention.