Republican Representative Lauren Boebert has decided to change her congressional districts for the upcoming 2024 re-election, attributing her decision to “Hollywood elites” such as Ryan Reynolds and Barbra Streisand attempting to influence her current seat through financial means.
Boebert, an outspoken conservative legislator, asserts that the surge in contributions from celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Ryan Reynolds to her Democratic opponent, Adam Frisch, compelled her to take action. She conveyed on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast that the substantial financial support from Hollywood indicates an attempt to influence Congress through monetary means.
According to official records, Reynolds contributed $1,500, and Streisand contributed $1,000 to Frisch. In the 2022 election, Frisch, despite being outspent by over $2 million, narrowly lost to Boebert by a margin of only 550 votes.
Frisch, a former Aspen city council member and entrepreneur, has surpassed Boebert in fundraising, amassing $7.8 million compared to her $2.2 million.
Boebert’s choice comes amid a difficult year marked by controversies surrounding her vaping incidents and purported inappropriate conduct at a Denver theater event. Insiders suggest that constituents, along with some backers, have not forgiven these actions, and her recent vote in favor of the NDAA has distanced even some loyal supporters. Furthermore, her tepid support for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has generated skepticism.
In transitioning to the 4th District, Boebert aims to secure the seat left vacant by the retiring Republican Ken Buck. Nevertheless, her departure poses a significant fundraising challenge for GOP candidate Jeffrey Hurd in a district that consistently supports Republicans, having voted for every GOP presidential candidate since 2000.
Hurd, a legal professional, has garnered a fundraising total exceeding $400,000; however, he may encounter a last-minute competition from Stephen Varela, a decorated veteran and member of the Colorado Board of Education. The anticipated announcement of Varela’s candidacy adds an additional element of complexity to an already intricate race.
