Democrat Eileen Laubacher, a candidate for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, stated during a Monday night debate that if her party secures control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, it should not use that power to impeach former President Donald Trump. Laubacher emphasized her belief that Congress needs to be more effective, rather than spending additional time on impeachment proceedings.
“I do not want us to waste two more years trying to impeach the president. I do not think that that is a good use of our time,” Laubacher said during the debate with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Windsor. She added that while people should be held responsible for unlawful and unethical actions, the focus should be on a more effective Congress.
This debate was the only scheduled televised meeting between Laubacher and Boebert before the Nov. 3 election, with thousands of voters in the district already having their mail-in ballots. The discussion, moderated by Kyle Clark of 9News, covered various topics, including potential investigations into Trump’s administration.
Boebert, who is running for her second term in the 4th District and fourth term as a representative from Colorado, highlighted her congressional work. She cited securing funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit through the House version of the Water Resources Development Act and advocating for disaster relief for sugar beet farmers. Boebert, acknowledging her outspoken nature in Congress, stated she has worked on an approach to “disagree better” since arriving in Washington, D.C. five years ago.
The 4th Congressional District, which includes Douglas County and the Eastern Plains, is being targeted by the Democratic Party’s congressional campaign arm as a potential flip. Boebert previously served two terms in the 3rd Congressional District, representing the Western Slope, before moving to the 4th District after a close race in 2022. She won the 4th District in 2024 with 53.6% of the vote.
Laubacher, a first-time candidate, is a 34-year Navy veteran who retired as a rear admiral in 2024. She served as senior director for South Asia at the National Security Council under former President Joe Biden. She recently moved to the district two years ago, relocating 10 miles from her former house in Littleton. Laubacher, a former Republican, defended her 2024 switch to the Democratic Party, after first becoming unaffiliated, by stating her belief in personal liberties is now aligned with the Democratic Party, and that the GOP she historically supported is “nearly unrecognizable.” She also credited Trump for stronger immigration policies at the southern border.
On the war in Iran, Boebert stated she "never wanted" the country to be involved but supports Trump’s decisions as commander in chief and her votes against Democrat-led war powers resolutions. She acknowledged the expense of the war and expressed a desire for it to end, noting ongoing conversations with the Department of War and the president. Laubacher countered that Boebert’s votes contradicted her duty to represent constituents opposed to the war.
The candidates also discussed Trump’s ongoing tariffs. Boebert defended them as a "tool" for revenue, while Laubacher supported certain tariffs, such as those against China for the semiconductor industry, but opposed others like those with Canada, arguing they are paid by Americans. Both candidates expressed opposition to Trump’s plan to pause tariffs on beef from countries like Argentina and Brazil, a move intended to lower consumer prices, noting the 4th District is home to most of Colorado’s ranching industry.
The occurrence of a televised debate between these congressional candidates was a relative rarity this election season. Other Colorado districts, such as the 8th District and the 3rd District, have seen few to no televised forums between their candidates.
