Lauren Boebert

Lauren Boebert (born 1986 or 1987)[1] is an American politician, businesswoman, and gun-rights activist from the state of Colorado. She became the Republican nominee for Colorado's 3rd congressional district in the 2020 elections, defeating incumbent congressman Scott Tipton. She is the first primary challenger to defeat a sitting U.S. House Representative in Colorado in 48 years. She owns Shooters Grill, a restaurant in Rifle, Colorado, where staff members are encouraged to openly carry firearms.[2] Boebert had expressed support of QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory,[3][4] though she later stated that she was "not a follower" of QAnon.

Lauren Boebert
Personal details
Born1986 or 1987 (age 33–34)
Florida
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Jayson
Children4
ResidenceSilt, Colorado

Early life

Boebert was born in Florida. When she was 12 years old, Boebert moved with her family to the Montbello neighborhood of Denver and later to Aurora, Colorado, before settling in Rifle, Colorado, in 2003.[5][6] Boebert has said that her parents were Democrats,[1] and that they lived in poverty in Denver, where her mother received welfare. Boebert credits her first job at 15 years old, at a McDonald's, with changing her views on whether it was necessary to get government assistance.[5][7]

Career

Business

Boebert and her husband opened Shooters Grill in Rifle, Colorado, in 2013, after her husband was laid off from his job. After a person was assaulted in a nearby alley, Boebert obtained a concealed carry permit and began encouraging the servers in the restaurant to open carry firearms.[8][9] They also opened a restaurant called Putters on the Rifle Creek Golf Course in 2015.[10]

In mid-May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she violated the state's stay-at-home order by reopening Shooters Grill for dine-in service.[11] Although Boebert received a cease and desist order from Garfield County, she said she would not close her business.[12] The next day she moved tables outside, onto the sidewalk, and in parking spaces.[13] The following day, Garfield County suspended her food license.[14] By late May, with the state allowing restaurants to reopen at 50% capacity, the county dropped its temporary restraining order.[15]

Politics

Gun rights

In September 2019, Boebert became involved in gun rights activism, by challenging Beto O'Rourke at an Aurora, Colorado town hall meeting during his 2020 presidential campaign over his proposal for a gun buyback program, saying "Hell, no, you won’t take our guns".[16] Later that month, Boebert opposed a gun control measure at a meeting of the Aspen City Council.[17]

2020 congressional campaign
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado § District 3

In December 2019, Boebert announced her candidacy for Colorado's 3rd congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in the 2020 elections, beginning with a challenge to incumbent Scott Tipton in the Republican Party primary.[18] During her campaign, Boebert criticized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of "The Squad", positioning herself as a conservative alternative to Ocasio-Cortez.[19][20][21] Seth Masket, a political science professor at the University of Denver, suggested that Boebert wanted to motivate Republican voters to participate in the primary, during a slow election cycle, by stirring up their anger at Ocasio-Cortez and others.[19]

Boebert criticized Tipton on his voting record, which she said did not reflect the point of view of the 3rd district, and that Tipton voted with Democrats too often.[22] Before the primary, President Donald Trump endorsed Tipton. During the campaign, Boebert characterized Tipton as unsupportive of the president.[19] Boebert accused Tipton of supporting amnesty for undocumented immigrants by voting for H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019, saying that the act has a provision that leads to citizenship and also provides funding to undocumented farm workers for housing.[23] Boebert criticized Tipton's efforts on funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, saying that he did not fight hard enough for more money for the program considering the program ran out of money within two weeks.[24] In her campaign against Tipton, Boebert raised just over $150,000 through the June 30 primary.[25]

On June 30, 2020, Boebert defeated Tipton by a 54.6% to 45.4% vote to win the Republican nomination.[26] Boebert was the first primary challenger to defeat a sitting U.S. Representative in Colorado in 48 years, since Democratic Representative Wayne Aspinall lost to Alan Merson.[27][28] Boebert has pledged to join the Freedom Caucus if elected to the House.[22]

Boebert will face former Democratic state representative Diane Mitsch Bush, a retired sociology professor from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in the November general election. Boebert has said that she believes that Bush's "platform is more government control" and Bush has a "socialist agenda".[27] Also of late July Boebert was the front-runner to win November election against Bush.[5]

During the campaign, Boebert expressed support of the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory while appearing on a QAnon-supporting web show, saying, “Everything I've heard of Q, I hope that this is real because it only means America is getting stronger and better."[29][30][31][32][33] QAnon, which has been classified as a domestic terrorism threat by the FBI and has been described as a cult, is a far-right conspiracy network.[34][35] On July 6, 2020, Boebert responded to questions about QAnon, "I’m not a follower. QAnon is a lot of things to different people. I was very vague in what I said before. I’m not into conspiracies. I’m into freedom and the Constitution of the United States of America. I’m not a follower”.[36][37]

Political positions

Electoral college

Boebert opposes the National Popular Vote initiative, which would abolish the electoral college for presidential elections.[8]

Gun rights

Boebert is a gun-rights supporter, and opposes expanding gun control regulations.[38] She is against Colorado’s red flag law, which was passed in 2019 by the Colorado General Assembly.[7][8]

Immigration

Boebert supports the construction of a Mexico–United States border wall and opposes immigration "amnesty".[39]

Education

Boebert has advocated for academic administration on a local level and the elimination of the United States Department of Education.[40][39]

Budget

Boebert pledged that, if elected to the House, she will not support any federal budget that results in additional debt.[39] She supports a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[41]

Social issues

Boebert is anti-abortion.[8] She is opposed to comprehensive sex education and the federal funding of Planned Parenthood.[8]

Healthcare

Boebert has called for the repeal by Congress of Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama.[42]

Personal life

Boebert and her husband, Jayson, live in Silt, Colorado.[43] Prior to operating their business, Boebert's husband worked in oil and gas fields.[1] They have four sons.[8] Boebert became a born again Christian in 2009.[9]

Election results

U.S. House of Representatives
Colorado's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2020[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lauren Boebert 58,674 54.6
Republican Scott Tipton (incumbent) 48,799 45.4
Total votes 107,473 100%
Colorado's 3rd congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lauren Boebert
Democratic Diane Mitsch Bush
Independent Robert Moser
Total votes 100.0
gollark: Retroactively done.
gollark: There aren't any. GTech has... whatever you were talking about, I forgot... contained.
gollark: ++remind 1d-5m >daily regardless of what heavpoot says
gollark: >daily
gollark: Maybe. I don't know, it has --help.

References
  1. Kim, Caitlyn (July 1, 2020). "Who Is Lauren Boebert?". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  2. Skilling, Chaney (June 22, 2018). "Armed and ready to feed you: Shooters Grill in Rifle serves up barbecue with a gun on the side". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  3. Bowman, Bridget (June 30, 2020). "Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton ousted in primary by gun rights activist". Roll Call. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  4. Paul, Jesse (June 30, 2020). "Lauren Boebert beats U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton in Republican primary". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  5. Wingerter, Justin (July 27, 2020). "Lauren Boebert beat a Colorado congressman. Is she the next GOP star?". Denver Post. Denver, Colorado. Retrieved July 27, 2020. The political novice is now the front-runner to win Nov. 3 over Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush in this Republican-leaning district.
  6. Rice, Heidi (July 14, 2014). "Regional: Shooters in Rifle serves a big helping of Second Amendment". Glenwood Springs Post Independent. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  7. Roberts, Michael (January 14, 2020). "Lauren Boebert on Her Fully Loaded Campaign Against Scott Tipton". Westword. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. Turner, Nikki (January 3, 2020). "Shooters Grill owner enters US House race". Rio Blanco Herald Times. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  9. Sauer, Rachel (August 10, 2014). "Burger with a side arm: Gun-packing service draws spotlight, more customers to Rifle restaurant". Daily Sentinel. p. 1D. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Rice, Heidi (March 12, 2015). "Shooters makes transition from guns to golf clubs". Glenwood Springs Post Independent. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  11. Corey, Calvin (May 13, 2020). ""I'm not going to wait on the government to tell me what to do." Lauren Boebert says Shooter's Grill in Rifle is open for business". KKCO. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  12. Sieg, Stina (May 14, 2020). "Shooters Grill In Rifle Defies Cease-And-Desist Order". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  13. "Shooters Grill Moves Tables Outside To Serve Customers After Cease & Desist Order". CBSN Denver. May 15, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  14. Tabachnik, Sam (May 16, 2020). "Shooters Grill in Rifle has food license suspended, owner says". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  15. Stroud, John (May 27, 2020). "Court case against Shooters Grill dismissed, but license still suspended as county, owner negotiate reopening". www.aspentimes.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  16. "Colorado Woman Challenges Beto O'Rourke's Plan For Buyback Of AR-15s, AK-47s". CBS Local. September 20, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  17. Sackariason, Carolyn (September 24, 2019). "Garfield County gun advocates take aim at Aspen's proposed prohibition of deadly weapons in city buildings". Glenwood Springs Post Independent. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  18. Kim, Caitlyn (June 22, 2020). "Lauren Boebert Questions If Rep. Scott Tipton Is Trump Enough". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  19. Bowman, Bridget. Lauren Boebert ran against AOC and the ‘squad,’ and beat Rep. Scott Tipton in the process, Roll Call, July 1, 2020.
  20. Panetta, Grace (June 30, 2020). "GOP Congressman Scott Tipton was defeated by right-wing primary challenger Lauren Boebert in Colorado's 3rd congressional district". Business Insider. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  21. Writer, Megan Tackett, Aspen Daily News Staff (December 10, 2019). "Owner of Shooters Grill challenges Tipton in primary". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  22. Kim, Caitlyn (June 22, 2020). "Lauren Boebert Questions If Rep. Scott Tipton Is Trump Enough". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  23. Ashby, Charles. Republican candidate and owner of gun-toting grill accuses Tipton of supporting amnesty bill, The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado, January 7, 2020.
  24. Armijo, Patrick. Restaurant owner gets top line on Republican primary ballot, Durango Herald, April 20, 2020.
  25. Luning, Earnest (August 6, 2020). "National GOP congressional group names Lauren Boebert to 'Young Guns' program". Colorado Politics. Denver, Colorado: Clarity Media Corporation. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  26. LeBlanc, Paul (July 1, 2020). "Trump-backed five-term Republican lawmaker loses primary to challenger who praised QAnon conspiracy". CNN. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  27. Webb, Dennis. Around Boebert’s hometown, her victory greeted by GOP with joy, apprehension, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  28. Luning, Ernest. Boebert rockets to fame — and controversy — in primary upset in Colorado congressional race, Colorado Springs Gazette, July 4, 2020.
  29. Robillard, Kevin (July 1, 2020). "A QAnon Supporter Just Beat A Republican Congressman in Colorado". HuffPost. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  30. Kurtzleben, Danielle (July 1, 2020). "GOP Candidates Open To QAnon Conspiracy Theory Advance In Congressional Races". NPR.org. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  31. Peters, Cameron (July 3, 2020). "The QAnon supporters winning congressional primaries, explained". Vox. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  32. Anderson, Jim; Riccardi, Nicholas; Fram, Alan (July 2, 2020). "Colorado's GOP U.S. House candidate Lauren Boebert is latest linked to QAnon conspiracy theory". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  33. Hulse, Carl (June 30, 2020). "Lauren Boebert, Gun-Rights Activist, Upsets House G.O.P. Incumbent in Colorado". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  34. Dickson, E.J. (August 2, 2019). "The FBI Declared QAnon a Domestic Terrorism Threat — and Conspiracy Theorists Are Psyched". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  35. LaFrance, Adrienne (May 13, 2020). "The Prophecies of Q: American conspiracy theories are entering a dangerous new phase". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  36. Harsha, Keagan (July 7, 2020). "Colorado primary winner Lauren Boebert meets President Trump, distances herself from QAnon". FOX31 Denver. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  37. "GOP candidate is latest linked to QAnon conspiracy theory". AP NEWS. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  38. "Lauren Boebert upsets 5-term congressman Scott Tipton in Colorado primary". PBS NewsHour. July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  39. Cummings, William. 5-term Rep. Tipton backed by Trump loses in Colorado primary, upset by businesswoman Lauren Boebert, Detroit Free Press, July 1, 2020.
  40. "Boebert: Why I'm running for Congress". www.craigdailypress.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  41. Wiggins, Mike (August 5, 2020), Boebert fires up Ouray County crowd, Ridgway, Colorado: Ouray County Plaindealer, retrieved August 6, 2020, She did say she thinks federal spending is “out of control” and blamed both Democrats and Republicans for that. If elected, she said she would introduce a balanced-budget amendment.
  42. Paul, Jesse (June 28, 2020). "Want to understand U.S. politics? Look at Colorado's 3rd Congressional race". The Colorado Sun. Denver. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  43. Stroud, John (July 20, 2009). "Silt couple discovers that childbirth can be one wild ride". Vail Daily. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  44. "Colorado Election Results -- Representative to the 117th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party". Colorado Secretary of State. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.