Rep. Lauren Boebert's turbulent run in Congress appears to be over. Networks project that Democrat Eileen Laubacher has defeated the Republican incumbent in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, flipping the state's most reliably red seat and closing out the last uncalled House race from this month's midterm elections.

Laubacher, a retired rear admiral and former National Security Council official, first declared victory on Nov. 9, but Boebert refused to concede, insisting the count wasn't final. CNN's Decision Desk projected that same day that Boebert would lose, citing a race that had narrowed to a margin of well under 2 percentage points. Boebert's campaign had said Friday, Nov. 13 — today — marked the final date for votes to be counted in the district before deciding its next move.

A District Republicans Weren't Supposed to Lose

Colorado's 4th District, stretching across the state's eastern plains, has been one of the most solidly Republican congressional districts in the country. Boebert, who rose to national prominence as a combative, pro-Trump firebrand after flipping Colorado's 3rd District in 2020, moved to the 4th ahead of the 2024 election specifically to secure safer political ground after a near-miss reelection.

Laubacher's campaign leaned heavily on her military record, casting her as a steadier alternative in a district where Republicans suffered broader losses this cycle, according to Colorado Politics' coverage of her victory claim. Earlier this week, Boebert told local reporters she would not seek a rematch in 2028 if the final numbers confirmed her defeat.

THE VOTES AREN'T IN

That was Boebert's refrain for much of the past week as she declined to concede, even as CNN and, as of Friday, CBS News moved to project a Laubacher win. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser was among the Democrats who publicly cheered the earlier network projection.

What's Next

Counties must still certify final results, and Boebert's campaign has not said whether it will seek a recount given the race's tight margin. If the result holds, Laubacher would become the first Democrat to represent Colorado's 4th District in a generation, and Boebert would need to decide whether to seek another office or step away from elected politics.