Lauren Boebert's 'Craven Sandbagging' Rebuked in Home State Newspaper

Colorado attorney and columnist Mario Nicolais has issued a stern rebuke of Congresswoman Lauren Boebert in a newspaper in her home state. Nicolais was part of the legal team that filed a suit in September to block former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot in the Centennial State.

Boebert, who announced in December she intended to relocate from Colorado's 3rd Congressional District to the 4th in the upcoming 2024 elections, was called a "craven sandbagger" by Nicolais in a column published by the Colorado Sun on Sunday.

Boebert has represented Colorado's 3rd District since 2021, but in 2022, she won her second term by just 546 votes to Democratic challenger Adam Frisch, who is running again in 2024.

In the 3rd District, Boebert would have also faced a formidable primary challenge from Republican Jeff Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney and first-time candidate, who has picked up a host of notable endorsements.

In her new district, Boebert is currently among seven Republican candidates in the June 25 primary election.

"I think the sandbagger problem will be very difficult for Boebert. In particular, I think the Republican primary electorate will have a tough time with her chickening out of a tough race," Nicolais told Newsweek on Sunday evening through a direct message on X, formerly Twitter.

He added, given the number of candidates, Colorado's 4th District is too early to handicap.

After stating that Boebert's announcement "shook the political world," Nicolais continued, "Such craven sandbagging to stay entrenched in power and the limelight did not go over well with many, even within a Republican party that has defended even her most wanton conduct. It is tough to call yourself a 'fighter' as you tuck tail and run from an electoral challenge."

Newsweek has reached out via email on Sunday to Boebert for comment.

The 4th District is currently represented by Republican Ken Buck, a member of the House of Representatives since 2015. In November, he said he would not seek reelection in what is considered a safer Republican seat.

In a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, in November, Buck diverged from the House Freedom Caucus in explaining part of his decision not to seek another term.

"Too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, describing January 6 as an unguided tour of the Capitol, and asserting that the ensuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system. These insidious narratives breed widespread cynicism and erode American confidence in the rule of law," Buck said in the video.

Nicolais praised Buck in his column for the nonprofit publication for "taking a flamethrower to many within the GOP," and said the 2024 elections will resemble a version of "mind-numbing" musical chairs among Colorado's congressional delegation.

"This game of musical chairs is not necessarily happening on the Titanic. Voters still have a chance to pick smart, policy-driven nominees who care more about the people than their own Twitter following," Nicolais stated.

The columnist endorsed Hurd as a "great example" that will "work tirelessly for the people of the 3rd Congressional District without all the drama of the incumbent."

While giving a nod to Hurd, Nicolais took another shot at Boebert over the September 2023 scandal when she was escorted out of a performance of Beetlejuice in Denver after complaints about vaping and disruptive behavior.

Video footage that was later released showed Boebert seemingly grope her date and being groped by him.

"Any play Hurd is likely to attend would be a matinee with his lovely wife and their five children," Nicolais continued.

Recently, the Colorado congresswoman was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with her ex-husband, Jayson Boebert, at a restaurant in Silt, Colorado. Jayson Boebert was arrested on six charges, including prohibited use of weapons, third-degree assault, and obstructing a peace officer, The Daily Beast reported, citing Garfield County jail records.

"Her family drama will hurt her, particularly with the older electorate in the 4th Congressional District, as opposed to the 3rd" Nicolais told Newsweek. "While the policy issues in Eastern Colorado are very different than Western Colorado - they are on opposite sides of the continent - I think primary voters, typically, are not that focused on policy as much as personality."

Boebert has countered widespread criticism about her district switch by stating in a message on X that her decision was "the right decision for those who support our conservative movement."

While outlining the crowded fields in Colorado's 3rd, 4th and 5th Districts, the columnist concluded by highlighting Hurd's fight in Boebert's previous district, Nicolais noted a new challenger, Ron Hanks, a former member of the Colorado House and a January 6 insurrection attendee.

He noted the stark differences between Republican candidates in Colorado as campaigns ramp up and the 2024 election looms.

"If Colorado Republicans, and their national counterparts, have any instinct to preserve this seat, they will do everything in their power to help Hurd. Frisch will be waiting in the wings and would make short work out of Hanks come November," Nicolais wrote.

"By early July we will know what direction the Colorado Republican Party has taken. Will they have nominated people who can help return them to a seat at the table? Or will the craziest among them simply pull chairs out from the entire party? Only time will tell."

Update 1/14/24, 6:10 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Nicolais.