Former Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck resigned from Congress due to frustration with the GOP’s unwavering support of former President Donald Trump. His likely replacement, Rep. Lauren Boebert, won the Republican primary election in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. Boebert, known for her devotion to Trump, succeeded in her political play, setting herself up for victory in the heavily conservative district. Despite other Republicans in Boebert’s vein losing their primaries in Colorado, she emerged victorious on Tuesday.
After winning the primary, Boebert showcased her loyalty to Trump by wearing reflective gold shoes sold by him and a “Make America Great Again” hat with his signature. She defended her unyielding politics, stating that nothing happens without force. However, her path to victory faced challenges, including a controversial incident where she was caught vaping and causing a disturbance at a play. Boebert also faced accusations of carpetbagging from fellow Republicans along the way.
While Buck has not publicly shared his thoughts on Boebert’s likely replacement, he has criticized the GOP’s alignment with Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election. Boebert, a member of the House Freedom Caucus like Buck, has been involved in controversial issues, with Buck even comparing her to a former congressman who was expelled. Boebert’s campaign manager defended her by stating that voters saw her political obstinacy as promises kept and her apologies as sincere.
The trend of replacing traditional Republicans with MAGA adherents is growing, according to Seth Masket, director of the Center on American Politics in Denver. He noted that many Republicans are resigning or being replaced by individuals more loyal to Trump. Despite Boebert’s lead in the primary, a significant number of voters cast their ballots for other candidates. Masket suggested that there may be a price to pay for acting brazenly and embracing Trump too much in Republican politics.
As the Republican Party continues to shift towards Trump’s influence, candidates like Boebert represent a more Trump-aligned faction of the party. The future of the GOP remains uncertain as more traditional Republicans resign or face primary challenges from candidates espousing Trump’s ideologies. Boebert’s victory in Colorado highlights the complexities within the party as it balances various factions and approaches to politics. The shift towards Trump loyalty may have lasting effects on the party’s identity and electoral success in future elections.
