Republican Who Lost to Boebert in Primary Backs Her Democratic Challenger

A Republican state legislator who mounted an unsuccessful primary challenge to Representative Lauren Boebert is now supporting Democrat Adam Frisch, saying he's "more interested in representing the district than being a celebrity."

Colorado state Senator Don Coram on Wednesday endorsed Frisch against Boebert, who has drawn headlines for controversial comments she's made since being elected in 2020. Coram's endorsement comes following his bitter primary GOP contest with Boebert and, as recent polls show, the race could be tightening.

Coram, a Republican state senator who has served in the Legislature since 2011, endorsed Frisch, a former member of Aspen City Council, in a letter lamenting the partisan state of national politics and how "it seems neither party nor their loudest voices have the highest interests of our Nation at heart."

Coram wrote that Boebert has failed to pass a single bill while in Congress and has voted against what he described as legislation that would benefit the state's 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses most of western Colorado.

"Bottom line, instead of working to represent the people in the 3rd CD, Lauren spends her time jet-setting around the country promoting herself and extreme rhetoric that only divides this country further," wrote Coram. "It's disgraceful and we should expect more from our United States Representative."

Despite their differences on policies, Coram described Frisch as a "good man" who is interested in representing the "majority of people in the middle that are fed up with extreme partisanship and juvenile antics."

Frisch reacted with a tweet, saying he was "proud to have the support and endorsement" of Coram.

Since entering national politics, Boebert has been a polarizing figure known for her combative statements and for trafficking in far-right conspiracy theories. Calling her "juvenile antics" an embarrassment, Coram tried to topple Boebert but lost the June primary with a third of the vote.

Colorado's 3rd Congressional District has been held by Republicans since 2011 and the GOP has a voter registration edge.

But a survey by Keating Research survey released this month found that Boebert's earlier support among likely voters had fallen and the race with Frisch was a statistical tie. The study concluded that voters were warming to Frisch as he became more familiar, while seeing Boebert as divisive.

Another poll by Center Street PAC, which describes itself as being "focused on defeating radical partisan extremists," released a poll on Thursday that also found Frisch and Boebert locked in a tie.

FiveThirtyEight still gives Boebert a 97 in 100 chance of winning reelection.

Newsweek has reached out to Boebert's campaign for comment.