Lauren Boebert finishes in middle of the pack in straw poll at inaugural GOP primary debate

Colorado Politics ^

[GulliverSwift]

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert's middling finish in a straw poll Thursday night drew gasps from the crowd that had just witnessed the Colorado lawmaker face off against eight other Republicans in a congressional primary debate at a rec center in Fort Lupton.

The headline-grabbing incumbent's performance in the decidedly non-scientific survey — Boebert landed in fifth place with just over 10% of the vote, behind three veteran state lawmakers and a former talk radio host who ran last cycle for the U.S. Senate — surprised some in the room but drew shrugs from others, who pointed out that the hall was filled with local Republicans loyal to other candidates who shared the debate stage.

The 90-minute debate, which drew national attention, took place less than a month after Boebert, the state's most prominent elected Republican, joined the already crowded GOP primary in the sprawling 4th Congressional District, which covers Colorado's Eastern Plains, anchored by suburban Douglas County.

She announced in late December that would seek another term in Congress from the solidly Republican seat after moving from the more competitive Western Slope-based district she's represented since 2021. Boebert said during the debate that she recently moved to Windsor in Weld County.

Out of 117 votes cast, Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg, a former longtime state state lawmaker, led the straw poll with 22 votes, followed by former House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, who received 20 votes, Douglas County filmmaker Deborah Flora at 18 votes and House Minority Whip Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, with 17 votes.

Boebert got 12 votes, narrowly edging out former congressional nominee Peter Yu's 11 votes, with three more candidates — former state Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, Weld County Council member Trent Leisy and former congressional staffer Chris Phelen — trailing in single digits.

[Cen-Tejas]

What’s the DCPA?

I’m going to disagree that “we don’t need Boebert”. However, it looks like, based on what you say, that this conservative district will vote her out anyway.

But, I have watched videos of her standing up on the floor of the House and just fearlessly and confidently “lettin em have it”. We need about 200 more reps doing that!

I also like her confident, defiant and public stance on the 2nd Amendment.

I agree her behavior in the theater was ridiculous for a self respecting US House of Representative.

Also, I think she’s an attractive woman and many automatically dislike her for that.

[politicket]

What’s the DCPA?

Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Boebert voted to keep McCarthy

The guy she was exchanging gropes with is a bar owner who has had drag shows in his bar.

We can do a whole lot better than Boebert. We have fighters in this district. Boebert is just carpet-bagging in because she can't hold her own district.

CD 4 is much, much more conservative than her current district. It's the most conservative in the state - by far.

[Kazan]

At this point, I couldn't care less is a Republican has a conservative voting record.

Ken Buck ran as a Tea Party candidate and had a great voting record. And, he's become one of the biggest backstabbers in Congress.

What matters is whether a Republican passes the following litmus test: 1) Does the candidate support eliminating the Federal budget deficit 2) Unconditionally supports border security 3) Opposes neocon foreign policy.

Any Republican that fails to pass all three criterion is bought and paid for by the donors of the GOP, is compromised and can't be trusted.

Boebert passes that test.

[Reily]

Just like McKinley did in WV!

Multiple re-elections and roughly at the 10-year mark “they grow into the job” as the press would say.

Well McKinley got sent him. Now is political career in WV is dead!

[politicket]

Boebert passes that test.

You have a narrow test, but an important one.

Boebert, and many others in CD 4 pass your test hands down.

Here's where others in CD 4 are ahead of Boebert:

1) They wanted McCarthy gone - Boebert voted to keep him 2) They've lived in the district for many, many years and know the culture and people around it - Boebert is a carpet-bagger who is running from her own district she fouled up for conservatives to keep. 3) Most of the other candidates have strong families, put their faith in God first, and lead moral lives - Boebert? A train wreck.

Why are you so fixated on Boebert?

Do you live in the district? I do.

[thegagline]

1) Does the candidate support eliminating the Federal budget deficit

Guess who doesn’t pass that test? Hint: he signed into law bills that increased the debt by 8.1 trillion dollars.