The Colorado Republican, among the most recognizable figures in Trump’s political movement, is on course to lose her re-election bid to Democratic challenger Eileen Laubacher in the state’s 4th Congressional District.
The Associated Press showed Boebert trailing Laubacher by more than 95 percent of the vote three days after the election.
Speaking in a local interview Friday, Boebert said the lesson from the GOP’s sweeping losses was clear: “You don’t start endless wars.”
“That’s a big one. I mean, I’ve been frustrated about the Iran war. There was nothing I could do individually to stop what was happening there,” she said.
“I’ve always said you should govern as you campaign. You cannot be one person on the campaign trail and another person in office. The American people want you to do what you said you were going to do.”
Boebert’s campaign said it was investigating “unusual voter patterns” and promised to fight for every ballot.
Her expected defeat is especially striking because she carried the district by 11.6 percentage points in 2024.
The Cook Political Report had rated the seat as leaning Republican, making the Democratic challenge one of election night’s contests to watch.
Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert, one of the most recognizable figures in Trump’s political movement, lost her re-election bid to Democratic challenger Eileen Laubacher in the state’s 4th Congressional District
Boebert’s defeat represents a dramatic reversal for a politician once seen as nearly inseparable from the Republican Party’s populist wing
Controversy followed Boebert throughout her time in Congress
During the campaign, Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral, attacked Boebert’s record after the Republican voted against war powers resolutions designed to limit military action in Iran.
Boebert’s downfall marks a dramatic reversal for a politician who once appeared almost synonymous with the Republican Party’s populist movement.
Her congressional career was repeatedly eclipsed by controversy, including a widely publicized 2023 incident at a Denver theater. She was escorted out of a performance of Beetlejuice after being accused of vaping and engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior.
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She later apologized for her conduct.
The congresswoman also came under scrutiny over her campaign finances, her acrimonious divorce from Jayson Boebert and her decision to leave Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to seek election in the more Republican-friendly 4th District in 2024.
A further controversy emerged in September, when activist David Wheeler filed a sworn complaint with the House Ethics Committee accusing Boebert of having sexual relationships with three current and former congressional staffers.
The explosive complaint alleged that Boebert had an affair with a former senior aide and arranged a $200,000 payment to keep her silent after the relationship supposedly ended.
It also alleged that she had inappropriate relationships with two other members of her congressional team.
The accusations prompted questions about whether Boebert had breached House ethics rules concerning relationships between lawmakers and staff, as well as the handling of campaign and congressional funds.
Boebert angrily denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and “utterly false.” The former aide identified in the complaint also rejected the claims and described them as defamatory.
The House Ethics Committee had not announced an investigation.
Boebert’s district, however, was not the only Colorado battleground attracting attention.
Boebert first took her seat in the House in 2021
In the state’s 8th Congressional District, Democrat Manny Rutinel flipped the seat after defeating incumbent Republican Gabe Evans.
Republican Congressman Jeff Crank also faced a strong challenge from Democrat Jessica Killin in Colorado’s 5th District, while Republican Jeff Hurd defended his seat against Democrat Dwayne Romero in the 3rd District.
Following a bruising night for Republicans, Democrats took overall control of the House and could secure at least 258 seats. They also captured the Senate after flipping several seats across the country.