Boebert, Laubacher Race Too Close to Call
Incumbent Lauren Boebert and challenger Eileen Laubacher are locked in a tight contest for Colorado's 4th congressional district.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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The race for Colorado's 4th congressional district between incumbent Republican Lauren Boebert and retired Navy rear admiral Eileen Laubacher remains too close to call. As of 8:13 p.m., Laubacher held nearly 51% of the vote to Boebert's 46%, and the Associated Press has not yet called the race.
Why it matters
The district covers the Eastern Plains and extends west into Loveland and Douglas County and is considered the state's reddest seat, so a competitive result there would be notable for Colorado's congressional delegation. The contest has centered on tariffs, the war in Iran and questions about candidates' patriotism and integrity.
As of 8:13 p.m. on Election Day, Laubacher led with about 51% of the vote to Boebert's 46%, based on an unofficial count. The race has not been called, and the final result depends on remaining ballots being tallied.
The players
Lauren Boebert
Boebert is the incumbent Republican representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district, seeking re-election in a race that remains too close to call.
Eileen Laubacher
Laubacher is a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral who was a registered Republican before becoming unaffiliated in 2024 and now runs as a moderate Democrat.
The details
Boebert and Laubacher held a debate on Oct. 14 in which Laubacher criticized Boebert's continued support for President Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran. Boebert questioned Laubacher's patriotism and integrity, and Laubacher, who was a registered Republican until 2024 and is now unaffiliated, describes herself as a moderate Democrat.
Timeline
Oct. 14, 2026: Boebert and Laubacher held a debate.
Nov. 4, 2026, 8:13 p.m. local time: Laubacher held a lead of 51% to 46% in the unofficial vote count.
Political Context
Colorado's 4th district has long been regarded as the state's most Republican seat, so a close race with a former Republican now running as a Democrat marks a notable departure from that baseline. Laubacher's critiques of tariffs and the Iran war reflect the kinds of counter-arguments that opposition candidates have raised against the Trump administration's policies.
The outcome determines who represents a large swath of the Eastern Plains and the western suburbs in Congress. Residents of the district will see whether the seat stays with the incumbent or changes hands once the final count is complete.
The takeaway
Close races in traditionally safe seats can signal shifting voter priorities, and the final count will show whether this contest was an outlier or part of a broader trend in Colorado. Readers should watch for official results as remaining ballots are tallied.
Further reading
For more on how the state's contests are shaping up, see Elections coverage for Colorado.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bucket List Community News.
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