CNN Projects Laubacher Wins Colorado 4th District, Ending Boebert's Tenure

Key points

• CNN projects Laubacher will win the Colorado 4th District seat, denying Boebert a fourth term.
• Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral, focused her campaign on affordability and capitalized on national headwinds against the GOP.
• Boebert, a prominent MAGA figure, had previously clashed with President Trump over campaign alliances and Epstein file releases.
• The race was extremely close, with Laubacher holding a narrow lead as of November 9, but CNN’s Decision Desk has called the seat.
• This loss marks a significant shift in a district that was previously considered a safe Republican stronghold.

Background

Boebert was first elected in 2020 after upsetting a fifth-term Republican incumbent in a primary. She has been a polarizing figure in the House, heckling former President Joe Biden during his 2022 State of the Union address and frustrating Republican speakers Kevin McCarthy and Mike Johnson. In 2022, she narrowly lost a race in a different district by 546 votes but won reelection in 2024 by over 11 points. The 2026 race was initially considered a safe Republican seat, but Laubacher’s performance defied expectations, signaling a significant shift in Colorado’s political landscape.

How outlets are covering it

CNN projects Laubacher’s victory, emphasizing her focus on affordability and the national anti-GOP sentiment. NBC News provides detailed vote counts, showing Laubacher leading 48.8% to 47.9% with 97.9% of votes counted, and notes a 19.56-point shift toward Democrats compared to the 2024 presidential election. Axios highlights Laubacher’s narrow lead and her attendance at congressional orientation, noting that the race remains uncalled by the Associated Press as of November 9. Boebert’s campaign is investigating 'unusual voting patterns' and expects a recount, though the current margin exceeds the automatic recount threshold. The sources agree on the close nature of the race but differ on the final outcome, with CNN calling the seat for Laubacher while Axios and NBC News note the race remains too close to call.

Why it matters

The loss of Boebert, a prominent MAGA figure, marks a significant shift in Colorado’s political landscape and reflects broader Democratic gains in the 2026 midterms. Laubacher’s victory, if confirmed, would give the district its first Democratic representative since 2008, signaling a potential change in the state’s political dynamics. The race also highlights the impact of national anti-GOP sentiment and affordability issues on local elections.

What to watch

Boebert’s campaign is investigating 'unusual voting patterns' and expects a recount, though the current margin exceeds the automatic recount threshold. Laubacher has attended congressional orientation and is preparing to take office if her victory is confirmed. The new Congress is set to take office on January 3, 2027, and the outcome of the recount will determine whether Laubacher or Boebert will represent the district.