Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert to Switch Districts, Will Run for Open Seat in District 4

Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert said Wednesday that she will seek reelection to Congress in Colorado's 4th congressional district, switching from District 3, where she is currently completing her second term. 

The move allows her to avoid a prospective rematch against Adam Frisch, a well-funded Democrat who came within roughly 500 votes of defeating the incumbent in 2022. The race was the closest U.S. House race that year, despite the conservative lean of the district. 

Boebert was also facing an increasingly strong primary challenge from a more mainstream Republican, attorney Jeff Hurd. As the New York Times reported, "Mr. Hurd’s candidacy has become a vessel for Republican discontent with the perceived excesses of the party’s MAGA wing." Support for an alternative also increased in the wake of the "Beetlejuice" incident.

The switch to District 4 has advantages for Boebert. The seat is open, as Republican Ken Buck is retiring. Encompassing much of the rural eastern plains, the district is also the state's most conservative. Buck won his 5th term by a 24% margin in 2022. 

However, the move is not without risk. Boebert will be moving to a district largely on the opposite side of the state, joining a crowded field already seeking the party's nomination to succeed Buck. 

Interestingly, Boebert's exit from District 3 might improve GOP prospects of holding the seat. After her announcement, The Cook Political Report updated its rating there from Toss-up to Leans Republican.