Laubacher beats Boebert by 3,523 votes in Colorado District 4

Eileen Laubacher has officially won the race for Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office confirmed on Nov. 13 that the Democrat defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert by 3,523 votes. This official certification follows the Associated Press calling the race on Friday, which put an end to the final days of counting.

The result marks the end of Boebert’s tenure in the seat. She first represented District 3 from 2020 to 2024 before moving to District 4. Her new opponents now include a history of high-profile conflicts with the national Republican base. Laubacher will serve as the district’s first Democratic member of Congress since Betsy Markey left office after the 2008 election cycle.

Laubacher brings a long military career to the chamber. She served as a Rear Admiral in the Navy for 34 years before entering this race. Her victory comes despite Boebert’s campaign claiming that unusual voting patterns warranted a closer look. Scott Gessler, Colorado’s former Republican Secretary of State, stated on Nov. 5 that the team was investigating those patterns and expected a recount.

Boebert did not mention a recount in her social media video released after the AP call. The margin of her loss is roughly double the 0.5% threshold that triggers an automatic recount in Colorado. She can still request a recount between 10 and 22 days after the election. Robert Preuhs, chair of the Political Science Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver, estimated the cost for her campaign at around $100,000. He noted that a recount changing the outcome is extremely unlikely.

In her video, Boebert thanked voters for the honor of being their voice in Washington. She said she had already spoken with Laubacher and expressed that the people of the district are more important than party politics. She listed several of her priorities, including fighting for Second Amendment rights and standing up for parents and girls in locker rooms, bathrooms, and sports. She also highlighted her fight for the release of the Epstein files, a battle that led President Donald Trump to criticize her publicly.

Trump called Boebert weak-minded and dumb on social media. He also encouraged others to run against her in the district. Boebert said she was not offended by the backlash and maintained her support for Trump. Laubacher released a statement on Nov. 9 after CNN initially called the race. She described the victory as historic and outlined her focus on lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and strengthening rural communities.

The district covers the eastern parts of Colorado. It had been considered a safe Republican stronghold for years. The Cook Partisan Voting Index recently ranked it as the most Republican congressional district in the state. However, the Cook Political Report changed its rating from solid Republican to leans Republican in late October. This shift reflected the changing dynamics of the race.

Political consultant Dick Wadhams said a re-entry bid for Boebert is technically possible in 2028. He noted that Laubacher is vulnerable as a Democrat in a district that still leans Republican. Wadhams believes Boebert is more likely to become a television commentator. He pointed to her close ties with One America News Network and Newsmax. He said she has a strong presence on TV and the traits that make for effective broadcasting.

Boebert ended her social media post with a final message to her supporters. She said, This is not the last you’ll be hearing from me. The official certification by the Secretary of State’s office on Nov. 13 now sets the legal record for the 2026 election results in the district.