Trisha Calvarese, a Colorado Democrat, raised more than $750,000 in the month following her party’s primary victory, while her Republican opponent, Lauren Boebert, faces challenges in fundraising. Calvarese’s campaign announced this fundraising haul after her primary victory over Ike McCorkle. By the end of July, the campaign claims to have nearly quadrupled its war chest, leaving them with over $380,000 after expenses. However, Boebert’s campaign had nearly $530,000 cash on hand at the end of the previous month, compared to Calvarese’s $100,000.
Despite the impressive fundraising numbers, Calvarese still faces an uphill battle against Boebert in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, which leans 13 points in favor of Republicans. Internal polls are indicating that the 2024 race could be closer than in the past, with Calvarese leading Boebert 47% to 38% in one poll. However, in a head-to-head matchup without concerns being raised, Boebert leads Calvarese 49% to 37%, with more than 10% of voters undecided in both scenarios. Another pre-primary poll showed McCorkle leading, but with a significant number of undecided voters.
Both candidates in the 2024 House race are running in the district for the first time, with Calvarese having worked in the federal government but without prior public office experience. Her campaign website emphasizes bipartisanship and her ties to unions, as well as her commitment to expanding access to reproductive and maternal care. Boebert, known for her strong conservative stance and gun-toting image as a former bar owner, will be a tough opponent to beat in the rural district, despite some embarrassing stories coming to light recently, including a controversial incident at a musical in Denver.
Boebert narrowly won a second term in office in 2022, defeating Democrat Adam Frisch by a small margin. While both the 3rd and 4th districts lean Republican, Frisch had a significantly larger campaign war chest than Boebert in an anticipated rematch for 2024. The 4th district opened up after the retirement of Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.). Boebert’s campaign war chest peaked at over $1.4 million but has since declined to just over half a million, with a substantial portion of the funds coming from PACs and other committees.
In summary, Trisha Calvarese’s impressive fundraising haul following the primary victory has boosted her campaign’s war chest significantly. However, facing an uphill battle against Lauren Boebert in a district that leans Republican, the race remains competitive. Internal polls show varying results, with Calvarese leading when concerns about Boebert are raised but falling behind in a straight head-to-head matchup. Boebert’s strong conservative brand and controversial incidents make her a formidable opponent, while Calvarese emphasizes bipartisanship and issues such as access to reproductive and maternal care in her campaign.
