The gloves are off in the 4th district congressional race where nine candidates running to replace Ken Buck jockeyed for position at a debate and straw poll event Thursday in Fort Lupton.
Long story short, Western Slope transplant Lauren Boebert came in 5th place out of 117 votes cast.
The event was sponsored by the Republican Women of Weld. Here’s the scorecard:
22 votes — Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg
20 votes — State Rep. Mike Lynch
18 voters — Former congressional candidate Deborah Flora
17 votes — House Minority Whip Richard Holtorf
12 votes — 3rd District U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert
11 votes — Former congressional nominee Peter Yu
7 votes — Former state Sen. Ted Harvey
5 votes — Weld County Councilman Trent Leisy
3 votes — Former congressional staffer Chris Phelen
The vote came on the heels of a 90-minute debate. Watch it here.
The event also featured a debate and straw poll for the 8th congressional race against Democrat incumbent Yadira Caraveo.
State Rep. Gabe Evans won with 69 votes, Weld County Commissioner Scott James came in second with 38 votes, and Air Force veteran Joe Andujo ran third with 13 votes. Watch that debate here.
Apparently, several attendees walked away undecided, in what will most assuredly be one of the most watched congressional races in the country.
Debate organizer Tammy Klein, vice president of event sponsors Republican Women of Weld, told Colorado Politics she was dismayed that only roughly two-thirds of the eligible attendees cast ballots in the straw poll.
“It’s very concerning that even when you place a ballot in their hand, they still walk away and leave it on the table,” she said on Friday. “That relates to why voter turnout is so low in Colorado — so many leave their ballots on their counter.”
That’s the difference between Republicans and Democrats. Dems would never have left blank ballots on the table. Their dead ancestors’ ghosts would have scooped them up and stuffed that ballot box full at their straw polls.
Straw polls are completely unscientific and based mostly on a candidate’s ability to turn out supporters to the event. But it’s a good indicator as to which candidates are organized early.