The Western Slope’s U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton graciously conceded the Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District Tuesday night to political newcomer Lauren Boebert, who won the race with 55% to the incumbent’s 45% of the vote.
Boebert will face former state Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush in the November general election, the same Democrat opponent Tipton handily defeated in 2018.
Through much of the campaign, Boebert was known as the gun-packing Rife restaurant owner who convinced voters she supported Donald Trump even more than Tipton, who was actually endorsed by the president.
Tipton’s campaign had strong financial backing and was able to put that money to use in significant media buys, while Boebert had to earn her media campaign coverage.
She was the one who defied Gov. Polis and reopened her restaurant in mid-May. At the time, only 100 cases of COVID-19 had been reported locally.
It was a stand that seems to have resonated with small business owners struggling to stay afloat, and the thousands of Coloradans who suddenly lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Boebert also vowed to stand up to left-wing lunatics and help Trump drain the Washington, D.C. swamp. And there was no denying her 2nd Amendment street cred.
But now Boebert goes into the general election with only $13,000 cash on hand.
She faces Bush, who easily beat James Iacino for the Democratic nomination with 61% of the vote to his 39%.
Here’s the latest results posted by the Secretary of State’s office.
Republican primary 3rd Congressional District
Lauren Boebert 57,144
Scott R. Tipton 47,484
Democrat primary 3rd Congressional District
Diane E. Mitsch Bush 62,507
James Iacino 39,300
It’s likely the stronger showing overall from Democrat voters simply reflects their motivation to participate in their U.S. Senate primary.
But if Republicans want to hold this seat, they better start paying attention and get involved in the general election campaign.
The Beltway mainstream media is already taking pot shots at Boebert, quoting directly from Democrat talking points that try to paint her as some sort of fringe candidate.