Boebert clinches top spot on primary ballot in new Colorado district

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) clinched the first spot on the ballot for her Colorado GOP primary after securing the highest percentage of delegate support on Friday at the district assembly.

Boebert, who is running for the full two-year term in former Republican Rep. Ken Buck’s eastern Colorado district, received 41 percent support from the 527 delegates gathered at the assembly, according to the Colorado Sun. That allows her name to be placed first on the GOP ballot in June.

The process to make the primary ballot is wonky and allows candidates different avenues to achieve it: Candidates can choose to simply collect at least 1,500 signatures from their district; they can choose to only go through the assembly process, where they need to earn at least 30 percent of the delegate vote; or candidates can do a mix of both — clearing the 1,500 signature threshold and earning at least 10 percent of the delegate vote, the Colorado news outlet noted.

Boebert is doing a mix of both the signature and assembly process. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office said last month she had gathered enough signatures to make the ballot. On Friday, Boebert only needed 10 percent to qualify through the hybrid system.

Meanwhile, former state Sen. Ted Harvey (R) received 26 percent of support among delegates, while former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg (R) received 18 percent and state Rep. Richard Holtorf (R) received 15 percent, the Colorado Sun reported.

Because Harvey had chosen to qualify solely through the assembly process, he fell short of making it onto the ballot by not receiving the 30 percent minimum needed. Sonnenberg and Holtorf are looking to qualify through a hybrid system and needed at least 10 percent of the delegate vote. Other candidates have simply gone the signature route.

It’s the latest twist in an ever-evolving saga to win Buck’s seat.

Boebert currently represents the 3rd Congressional District in western Colorado but is choosing to run in Buck’s district — the 4th Congressional District in eastern Colorado — to avoid a repeat of last cycle’s expensive House race. Boebert has also said she’s looking for a fresh start since finalizing the divorce with her ex-husband.

Buck announced in November that he would not be seeking another term in the House, opening up his seat. But he threw in a curveball last month when he announced he would be retiring early, setting up a special election to fill the remainder of his term.

That initially complicated Boebert’s path to winning Buck’s seat, as it creates two elections: a special election to fill his term out and a GOP primary for the full two-year term starting in January, both of which would take place on the same day on June 25.

Boebert couldn’t leave her seat to run for the GOP nomination in the special election, which would have triggered a special election for her seat and jeopardized Republicans’ slim majority in the House.

But the Colorado Republican notched a win when former Parker, Colo. Mayor Greg Lopez (R) was selected to be the GOP nominee for the special election. Lopez said he only wanted to run for the remainder of Buck’s term, giving Boebert a chance to win the June GOP primary.

Given the red leanings in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, whoever wins the GOP primary in June for Buck’s seat will be the heavy favorite to win in November for the full-year term.

Boebert in a statement on X said she was “honored” following the vote.

“Honored to have won the support and trust of CD4 Delegates as the ONLY Republican to qualify through the Assembly process today! I kept my word and I will make you proud!” she said.

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