By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice
PUEBLO — A week that began with an unexpected surgery ended with a pleasant result for Lauren Boebert.
“I didn’t care if I had to come here on a stretcher,” she said. “I was going to honor the delegates and this valued process in Colorado.”
Boebert collected 40.8% of delegates here Friday in the 4th District Assembly and earned a spot on the Republican Party’s primary ballot for the U.S. House.
Jerry Sonnenberg, who was the leading declared primary candidate in the special election meeting but did not advance to that ballot, earned 18.2% of delegates Friday to keep his chances of qualifying for the ballot through petition alive. Richard Holtorf earned 15.4% support, also allowing him the opportunity to potentially qualify for the ballot through petition. Ted Harvey, who did not file a petition with the Secretary of State, earned 25.6% of delegates and will not appear on the ballot. Candidates are required to get at least 30% of delegates to advance to the ballot, or appearing at assembly at least 10% to petition onto the ballot.
Boebert joins Deborah Flora as the only qualified candidates on the ballot. Flora’s petition has been verified by the Secretary of State. She did not attend assembly on Friday.
Boebert, the Donald Trump-endorsed candidate, had been encouraged by some to skip the assembly as well, as a result of a surgery just days before delegates met in Pueblo.
“Some people said this is your out, you had surgery,” she said. “This is about the people.”
She gathered 215 of the 527 delegate votes from 21 counties in the district.
“I promised you I would not treat this as coronation, but work everyday and travel to every county to earn your vote and support,” Boebert said. “You want a representative who is present, who knows you, who believes in you. It’s not a wonder to you what I’ll do.”
Harvey lost an all-or-nothing gamble to make the ballot when he missed the 30% threshold by 3.4%.
“I am not petitioning on,” he told delegates. “I will never petition on.”
He also was a pro-Trump candidate, indicating his first bill, if elected, would be to create permanancy of the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy.
“That was probably the most important action anyone has done to stop illegal immigration,” he said. “We need to have that in stature so no president can take it out with a stroke of the pen.”
Sonnenberg also positioned himself in support of the presumed Republican Party nominee, repeatedly noting areas in which he would support Trump.
“Joe Biden is failing America at every turn,” he said. “Our country is being embarrassed on the world stage.”
Sonnenberg also renewed themese from prior campaign trail speeches he has given related to his family’s four generations in the district farming and ranching in Logan County, touting his integrity and honesty, his nickname of “Dr. No” in state legislature appropriations for new spending and that he would be “a workhorse, not a showhorse.”
Holtorf was the only candidate to begin a speech to delegates with a video, which drew a mixture of response when he attacked Boebert: “I’ll tell you what I’m not, I’m not a carpet bagger from Rifle, Colorado,” he said in the video. “I’m a rancher from the Eastern Plains of Colorado.”
He also continued themes in opposition of the party’s establishment, which he criticizes was in charge when the state flipped from red to blue between 2004-08 and the party flipped from a majority in the state legislature to a super minority.
“The old guard has failed Colorado,” Holtorf said. “The old guard needs to get out of the way.”
Boebert reminded delegates that qualifying for the ballot is simply a step: “We are just getting started,” she said.
She also continued a theme of criticizing ex-U.S. Rep. Ken Buck: “He wanted to drain the Swamp and became the Swamp,” she said.
As far as a priority, Boebert says she will prioritize all legislation equally.
“I can walk, chew gum in heels, take care of my boys, represent you and fight for what we believe in all at the same time,” said Boebert, who was dressed in high heels. “Together, we will take on the swamp, and the uniparty.”
In the 4th District, what has been coined Trump Country, Boebert accepted a place on the ballot by pledging her support to the Republican.
“He needs his A Team when he resumes his rightful place in the White House,” Boebert said. “I will be right by his side.”
Those who have seen her appearances on Fox News might agree with another statement she made: “When I’m in Washington, D.C., I sure ain’t quiet. I have no problem telling them what Colorado needs. I didn’t go there to go to fancy dinners and be in bed by 10 p.m.”
Results of Colorado’s 4th District Republican Assembly:
(527 of 753 delegates reported)
Lauren Boebert – 215 votes, 40.8%
Ted Harvey – 135 votes, 25.6%
Richard Holtorf – 81 votes, 15.4%
Jerry Sonnenberg – 96 votes, 18.2%