(Colorado Newsline) U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert is the Republican nominee in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, beating out a handful of conservative hopefuls in the Colorado primary election looking for political opportunity in the open seat once held by long-term Congressman Ken Buck.

The Associated Press called the race at 7:22 p.m. Tuesday.

Boebert defeated state Republican Representatives Mike Lynch of Wellington and Richard Holtorf of Akron, former state Senator Jerry Sonnenberg, radio host Deborah Flora and businessman Peter Yu.

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The crowded field of Eastern Colorado politicos split the vote enough to hand Boebert the nomination.

In November, Boebert will face the winner of Democratic primary election.

The 4th District spans the Eastern Plains and parts of the suburban Douglas County and is a safe Republican seat.

Boebert gathered with supporters at a watch party at The Grainhouse in Windsor Tuesday. During a victory speech Boebert spoke about parental rights and the importance of religious rights, which she said the government cannot take away. She also spoke about the importance of the uniting the Republican Party and “taking back our country.”

Asked her hopes for another Boebert term in Congress, supporter Chris Bent said, referring to former President Donald Trump, “I hope she continues to help Trump drain the swamp.”

Boebert is in her second term representing the 3rd Congressional District on the western side of Colorado. She switched districts late last year after Buck announced he would not seek another term in Congress, rocking Colorado’s political scene. In 2022, Boebert barely held onto her current seat with a 546 vote margin of victory, and supporters worried she would not be successful again in this election.

Her opponents and other critics labeled her a “carpetbagger” for moving to a more Republican-leaning district to secure another two years in Congress. She contends that the move made sense for her and her sons after a tumultuous divorce with her ex-husband, Jayson Boebert.

Because Buck resigned before the end of his term, a special vacancy election also took place on Tuesday night to fill his seat until January. Former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez defeated Democrat Trisha Calvarese in that race, and he will represent the district for six months.

Boebert, a staunch Trump supporter, is an election denier who voted to object to electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6, 2021.

Andrew Fraieli contributed to this report.

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