Lauren Boebert Can't Shake Theater Fondling Scandal

Representative Lauren Boebert, the outspoken MAGA-aligned Republican congresswoman, continues to face political headwinds over her recent theater scandal, further putting her reelection effort at risk.

Boebert gained a national spotlight in September after reports emerged that she and a date had been kicked out of a production of Beetlejuice: The Musical at downtown Denver's Buell Theater due to their allegedly inappropriate behavior. Despite the lawmaker's initial denial of wrongdoing, security camera footage was later released showing Boebert vaping in the theater and fondling her date in a seemingly sexual manner. In the wake of the incident, numerous donors dropped their support, while others retracted their endorsements. Boebert has since issued an apology, but a new report has found that the political headwinds created by the scandal continue to dog her.

As found in an Associated Press report published on Monday, Boebert has recently returned home to Colorado's 3rd District in an effort to escape the turmoil engulfing Congress in Washington, D.C., only to find yet more turmoil over the lingering impact of the theater scandal. Numerous Colorado voters spoke to the outlet, expressing distaste or concern for the congresswoman in light of the incident. Boebert was already expected to face steep reelection chances in 2024 against Democrat Adam Frisch—and now seems to be in an even more perilous position.

"Most of us were like 'holy cow,'" Beverly Cuyler, whom the AP described as a long-time Boebert supporter. "And one of the big reasons for that is a gap between how she presented herself as a Christian and what ended up happening...She screwed up. She needs to up her game. But, you know, we still love her."

Dusty Mars, a Colorado resident who previously voted for Boebert, expressed concerns and uncertainty about doing so again next year, hoping for a different choice in the primary, but still willing to vote for her in the general election.

"It should be a lot easier to get a Republican candidate into the district," Mars said. "We shouldn't be pulling teeth to get votes."

Recently, the report noted, Boebert has begun integrating an apology for the theater incident into speeches at her public appearances, telling the crowd at the recent Lincoln Day Dinner in Archuleta County, "I owe each and every one of you here a deep, heartfelt apology."

In the 2022 midterms, Boebert, who had previously been heavily favored for reelection, ended nearly losing her seat to Frisch in what ended up becoming the tightest race in the country, with the congresswoman retaining her office by only 546 votes. Frisch has announced his intention to run against her again in 2024, hoping to ride the momentum of his near-upset win. He has so far raised over $7.7 million for his campaign, compared to Boebert's haul of around $2.4 million. Given the tight margin of the GOP's majority in the House of Representatives, a loss for Boebert could be a key win for Democrats and their hope to retake the majority.

Newsweek reached out to political strategists via email for further comment.