Lauren Boebert Confronted Over Republicans Backing Primary Challenger

Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert has played down the significance of her Republican primary challenger getting a string of endorsements, insisting that she will "work harder" for voters in her district.

In an interview with Colorado TV station KKCO, Boebert was pressed about the backing that Republican Jeff Hurd has received from several GOP figures as he aims to win the state's 3rd Congressional District primary next June.

Boebert, who first entered Congress in 2021, won re-election in November 2022 after narrowly defeating Democratic challenger Adam Frisch by just 546 votes. Frisch has already confirmed he will be running again for the Colorado seat in 2024, and has vastly outraised Boebert in terms of campaign donations in the last quarter.

Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney and political novice, has won over donors who previously supported Boebert in her 2020 election campaign, and has also gained the endorsements of Republicans in the Centennial State such as former Colorado governor Bill Owens, former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown and Rio Blanco County Commissioner Ty Gates.

Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes and Mesa County Commissioners Cody Davis and Bobbie Daniel said they are now supporting Hurd over Boebert in the wake of the controversy surrounding her behavior during a live theater performance of Beetlejuice in September.

While speaking to KKCO's Bernie Lange, Boebert was asked about the Republicans who are taking a "different direction" to her in Colorado's 3rd district.

"I have never led a campaign with endorsements because my voters want to know that I stand for them, and they see what I've done and they'll judge me on the results that I'm providing for them," Boebert said.

"I am focused on getting results for the 3rd district right now. But I can promise you this, no one will work harder for the support of the 3rd district voters than I will," she added. "I have been on the ground with them for four years now earning their trust, earning their support and working diligently for them in Washington D.C."

Hurd's office has been contacted for comment via email.

Lange then asked Boebert if she is "concerned" about getting primaried, a scenario which was raised in the wake of her slim margin of victory against Frisch in the 2022 midterms.

"Right now we are gearing up for a primary and I am confident in the results that I have produced to the voters and I believe that my record will reflect their votes," Boebert replied. "And we'll come out of another successful primary, just as we've done in the past two primaries."

When asked why he is now endorsing Hurd, Rio Blanco County Commissioner Gates said that he is "not very pleased" with the congresswoman.

"The only time we see her is when there's a campaign or something like that," Gates told Colorado Politics.

"Honestly, I don't feel like we're getting the support and our voices are being heard, and I think Jeff can do a better job at that."

Longshot Republican candidates Russ Andrews and Curtis McCrackin are also challenging Boebert in the GOP primary in June 2024.