Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., has been defeated in her bid for re-election in Colorado's 4th Congressional District. NBC News projects that Democratic challenger Eileen Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral and Afghanistan war veteran, won the race. The outcome concludes Boebert's six years in Congress, a tenure defined by frequent media attention and legislative clashes.
Laubacher served on the National Security Council during the Biden administration. In her election night address, she emphasized character and public service. "Integrity matters. Character matters. Truth matters, and public service should always be about what you can do for other people, not what you do for yourself," Laubacher told supporters, as reported by The Colorado Sun. "Those things were worth fighting for when we started."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic supporters framed the victory as a rejection of political divisiveness and a return to institutional norms. Laubacher's campaign centered on the belief that public office requires integrity and a focus on constituents rather than self-promotion. The victory aligns with broader Democratic gains in the midterms, which were characterized by significant turnout against Republican incumbents.
What the Right Is Saying
Rep. Boebert attributed her loss to external factors rather than personal performance. "There was a lot of money dumped on my head," Boebert stated following the election. She also cited legislative gridlock as a contributing factor, blaming the Senate for failing to pass many House-approved Republican bills. Her defeat occurred despite a shift to the more Republican-leaning 4th District in 2024, where she had previously won re-election with a larger margin than her 546-vote win in the 3rd District in 2022.
What the Numbers Show
Boebert's political trajectory included a 2020 primary upset of Rep. Scott Tipton and a narrow general election win in 2022 by just 546 votes. In 2024, she successfully transitioned to the 4th District, winning re-election more comfortably. However, the 2026 midterm results indicate a significant shift in the district, with the projected loss occurring amidst a broader wave of defeats for GOP incumbents. The race drew national attention due to Boebert's high-profile controversies and her recent divergence from President Trump.
The Bottom Line
The election marks a notable exit for one of the most recognizable figures on the right wing of the House. Boebert's relationship with President Trump had deteriorated in late 2025 when she joined three other Republicans in signing a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Justice Department's Jeffrey Epstein files, a move contrary to Trump's wishes. Trump had threatened to rescind his endorsement and criticized her publicly, calling her "dumb" and "weak-minded," though the endorsement was never formally withdrawn. Laubacher's victory adds to the Democratic caucus in the House, while Boebert joins a list of incumbents defeated during this election cycle.