Boebert struggling to shake Beetlejuice debacle as tight race appears closer than ever

Some Republicans are starting to question whether it’s time to consider an alternative to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) as she reels from a high-profile scandal and a narrow reelection bid win last year.

In mid-September, Boebert was caught on a security camera causing a disturbance during a performance of the musical Beetlejuice at a Denver theater. The newly divorced congresswoman and her date were escorted out of the theater, accused by venue officials of vaping, singing, recording, and demanding special treatment. Boebert initially denied some of her actions after surveillance video emerged, contradicting her claims. The Republican lawmaker issued an apology days later, saying her behavior was unacceptable.

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Boebert is known for her extremely conservative views, shaping herself as a disruptor early on in her political career. She’s a staunch defender of former President Donald Trump, aligning herself with the MAGA Republicans.

She upset five-term incumbent Scott Tipton (R-CO) in 2020, but Democrat Adam Frisch nearly unseated the Republican congresswoman last November.

Mixed with her razor-thin victory in 2022, the possibility of an upset in 2024 has caused Republican candidates like Jeff Hurd to launch a bid against Borbert, and he’s already gathering endorsements from local GOP leaders.

“The reason Jeff got in this race was because voters all over the district and Colorado are fed up with Rep. Boebert, specifically her inability to deliver results for our district, and her disgraceful behavior as an elected official,” Hurd’s campaign told the Washington Examiner on Saturday. “Since her disappointing antics in September, Republicans all over the district have expressed concern that our chances of keeping the seat with her as our nominee are slim. We are proud to have the support of many local and state conservative leaders who know Jeff will be a leader of character, and deliver results for the district.”

The attorney from Grand Junction received an endorsement this week from Republican Rio Blanco County Commissioner Ty Gates and other county commissioners.

“I’m not very pleased with Lauren,” Gates said, per Colorado Politics. “I don’t think, for our rural community — the only time we see her is when there’s a campaign or something like that. Honestly, I don’t feel like we’re getting the support and our voices are being heard, and I think Jeff can do a better job at that.”

Mesa County Commissioners Bobbie Daniels and Cody Davis have thrown their support behind Hurd, as well as Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes. Former Colorado governor Bill Owens also endorsed Hurd, along with other prominent leaders such as former Sen. Hank Brown (R-CO).

“I am proud to have earned the endorsements of a number of county commissioners across the district, some public and some getting ready to announce their support,” Hurd said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “They support our campaign because the know that as an elected official I pledge to be present in the district, listen and work hard for western and southern Colorado and deliver results to help our communities.”

Boebert won over the Republican Party with her brash rhetoric — voting down gun control measures and strict immigration policies. She is now hoping her party will extend her “mercy” and “grace.”

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Boebert told reporters at a casino bingo hall in southwest Colorado that while she has been speaking to people at events, “it seems like there’s a lot of mercy and a lot of grace,” per the New York Times.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Boebert and Hurd’s campaigns for comment.