Lauren Boebert to argue her case in first Republican primary debate after hopping districts

FORT LUPTON, Colo. (AP) — Rep. Lauren Boebert will argue her case Thursday in the first Republican primary debate for the district she switched to last month, facing off against opponents who have already attacked her with accusations of being a “carpetbagger.”

The congresswoman is running in the 4th Congressional District, which spans Colorado’s eastern plains, over fears she could have lost reelection for the seat she currently holds on the state’s western slope. Colorado’s congressional representatives do not have to live in the district they represent, only the state, though Boebert has said she will move to the area.

With control of the House hanging in the balance, Republicans and Democrats are wrestling fiercely over every close race. That includes the 3rd District, which was considered solidly GOP-leaning but became seen as a toss-up for this year after Boebert won there by only 546 votes in 2022.

Political experts generally agree that Republicans have a better chance of holding on to the 3rd District without Boebert in the race, a reason she cited for her decision to switch. The GOP has a bigger advantage over Democrats in the 4th.

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