During a debate between Lauren Boebert and Trisha Calvarese, Boebert was accused by her Democratic rival of disrespecting veterans, working against lowering prescription drug costs, missing critical votes on the national debt, and being extremist. The debate, hosted by the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, took place at Ravenna Golf Club in Littleton. Boebert, who currently represents Colorado’s 3rd congressional district, decided to run in the more conservative 4th district and won the GOP primary convincingly. Calvarese criticized Boebert for voting against the PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxins, and accused her of putting veterans last while claiming to put them first.
During the debate, the candidates clashed over various issues, including the economy, healthcare, and the treatment of veterans. Calvarese attacked Boebert for voting against allowing Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs and highlighted the impact on her father’s life-saving medication. Boebert criticized the Biden administration’s spending, linking it to higher inflation, and called for lawmakers to reduce government spending. However, Calvarese accused Boebert of missing crucial votes related to the debt ceiling and lying about it, including intentionally skipping a House vote on suspending the U.S. debt ceiling in June 2023.
Boebert defended her record on veterans during the debate, stating that she had brought funding to veterans through six amendments. She also defended her stance on healthcare, emphasizing her support for veterans and claiming that her actions benefited them. Calvarese challenged Boebert to participate in two televised debates accessible to the public after accusing her of extremism and missing key votes. In a viral video challenge released in July, Calvarese called for a debate at the Buell Theatre in Denver, where Boebert had been asked to leave during a performance of Beetlejuice in September 2023 for being disruptive.
The accusations and clashes during the debate highlighted the contentious nature of the race in Colorado’s 4th congressional district. Boebert and Calvarese presented opposing views on various issues, including government spending, healthcare, and the treatment of veterans, illustrating stark differences in their policy positions. The candidates’ debate performance and statements reflected their commitment to their respective platforms and their strategies to engage with voters ahead of the November election. The outcome of the race could have significant implications for the representation and policies affecting the constituents of Colorado’s 4th district.
