Congresswoman, admiral debate issues at heated forum

(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Windsor, and her Democratic challenger, retired Adm. Eileen Laubacher, clashed Monday night during a fiery debate in the race for Colorado's 4th Congressional District.

They disputed each other's qualifications and debated national security, affordability, public safety, government accountability and the conflict with Iran. The issues were discussed in a race that's expected to be close as Republicans and Democrats wrestle for control of the House in the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Boebert previously served in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District before being elected to represent the 4th Congressional District in 2024. She won in the 2024 general election by 11% against Democratic challenger Trisha Calvarese. Boebert’s venture into politics didn’t come until 2020 when she initially ran for the 3rd District and was sworn into office in 2021.

Boebert’s opponent this time around, Laubacher, is also relatively new to the political sphere. She spent 34 years with the U.S. Navy, during which she was promoted to admiral in 2018. She retired in 2024. Laubacher was previously a Republican who supported U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, during his 2016 presidential campaign, but then was an independent for less than a year before becoming a Democrat.